I for one would love to see players be able to get their sticks up again to protect themselves from big hits.

Maybe a smidgen on Lindros. Stevens delivered that hit, as well as the one to Kariya, with the intent of separating his opponent's head from his body. In other words, with the intent to injure. Both players had already dished off the puck and Stevens' shoulder/elbow did not drive through their faces by accident or as a natural continuance of the play. In both cases, Steven's should have gotten a match penalty under the existing rules at the time. At least I think so.
- GeorgeBailey

At the time, that hit was legal. Today he's have the book thrown at him. He would do whatever it took to win, much like our beloved Bobby Clarke, arguably the dirtiest player/stickman in NHL history. I hate the hit, but I have no problem with it.

if scott stevens played on the flyers he would have owned the city. Luv scott stevens

I for one would love to see players be able to get their sticks up again to protect themselves from big hits.
- MBFlyerfan

I'd love to see the players be allowed to police the ice themselves overall. The league is ineffective at it.

I'd love to see the players be allowed to police the ice themselves overall. The league is ineffective at it.
- MJL

they can, they choose not too really.

NHL.com projected lineup for Flyers

Claude Giroux -- Sean Couturier -- Travis Konecny

James van Riemsdyk -- Kevin Hayes -- Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom -- Nolan Patrick -- Andy Andreoff

Michael Raffl -- Scott Laughton -- Tyler Pitlick

Ivan Provorov -- Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim -- Philippe Myers

Shayne Gostisbehere -- Justin Braun

Carter Hart

Brian Elliott

NHL.com projected lineup for Flyers

Claude Giroux -- Sean Couturier -- Travis Konecny

James van Riemsdyk -- Kevin Hayes -- Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom -- Nolan Patrick -- Andy Andreoff

Michael Raffl -- Scott Laughton -- Tyler Pitlick

Ivan Provorov -- Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim -- Philippe Myers

Shayne Gostisbehere -- Justin Braun

Carter Hart

Brian Elliott
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Braun and Myers probably start the season switched, no Andreoff please, besides that I don't see many changes.

NHL.com projected lineup for Flyers

Claude Giroux -- Sean Couturier -- Travis Konecny

James van Riemsdyk -- Kevin Hayes -- Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom -- Nolan Patrick -- Andy Andreoff

Michael Raffl -- Scott Laughton -- Tyler Pitlick

Ivan Provorov -- Matt Niskanen

Travis Sanheim -- Philippe Myers

Shayne Gostisbehere -- Justin Braun

Carter Hart

Brian Elliott
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I don't see Andreoff making the cut. Not sure exactly who would replace him (NAK?) but I think he's the 13F at best. Also, no Kurtis Gabriel please.

At the time, that hit was legal. Today he's have the book thrown at him. He would do whatever it took to win, much like our beloved Bobby Clarke, arguably the dirtiest player/stickman in NHL history. I hate the hit, but I have no problem with it.
- jmatchett383

I understand what you and MJL are saying, but you are missing my point. Yes, the hits, in and of themselves were legal.
In the context of the overall play and delivery of those two hits, I argue that his intention was to hurt them, not just prevent them from scoring. As far as hurting them, Stevens was quite successful. These were not cases of not being able to stop due to the flow of the play. These were cases of wanting to knock the opposition into tomorrow. When Stevens says he wasn't trying to hurt them in interviews, he wreaks of being disingenuous. IMO, Stevens' intent to injure was almost as obvious as Dave Brown's on Sandstrom. Again, the hit was legal, the intent to injure is a match penalty.

I understand what you and MJL are saying, but you are missing my point. Yes, the hits, in and of themselves were legal.
In the context of the overall play and delivery of those two hits, I argue that his intention was to hurt them, not just prevent them from scoring. As far as hurting them, Stevens was quite successful. These were not cases of not being able to stop due to the flow of the play. These were cases of wanting to knock the opposition into tomorrow. When Stevens says he wasn't trying to hurt them in interviews, he wreaks of being disingenuous. IMO, Stevens' intent to injure was almost as obvious as Dave Brown's on Sandstrom. Again, the hit was legal, the intent to injure is a match penalty.
- GeorgeBailey

And again, when Eric Lindros went to hit, he didn't do it just to separate the man from the puck, he often hit to send the player into next week, with Andreas Dackell being the most prominent example. Bobby Clarke had no problem giving guys 2-handers, butt ends, and sticks to the face. And because of that, we love them. Hell, Chris Pronger is the dirtiest defenseman in...well, ever, and is beloved in this city. Had Scott Stevens thrown those hits as a Flyer, he'd also be beloved.

I don't think he was trying to end their careers, but if he could knock the other team's star player out of a playoff series with a legal (at the time) hit, I'm sure he wouldn't mind one bit.

Edit: I would argue that any time a player hits a player with any amount of undue force more than to stop the opposition's attack (think Hartman's hit on Dahlin), he is trying to injure a player...otherwise, why make the hit harder than is needed?

I understand what you and MJL are saying, but you are missing my point. Yes, the hits, in and of themselves were legal.
In the context of the overall play and delivery of those two hits, I argue that his intention was to hurt them, not just prevent them from scoring. As far as hurting them, Stevens was quite successful. These were not cases of not being able to stop due to the flow of the play. These were cases of wanting to knock the opposition into tomorrow. When Stevens says he wasn't trying to hurt them in interviews, he wreaks of being disingenuous. IMO, Stevens' intent to injure was almost as obvious as Dave Brown's on Sandstrom. Again, the hit was legal, the intent to injure is a match penalty.
- GeorgeBailey

I don't believe that Stevens intent was to injure Lindros or any other player he hit. He was a simply a hard nosed physical player who did no different than what Lindros did when he hit people.

Bob is my favorite.
Mainly because of his supposed fragility and his response to it.
He certainly wasn't a physically gifted dude but (Kardashian sized but) his singular SUPER STAR attribute was overwhelming, he led like few can or do.
His team had complete trust in him. His words (outside of Rexy's) were close to Biblical to his team mates.
I will not disparage Eric but he never had the grip on the team Bob did.
Eric was generational talent. Bob was a generational leader.
See how that worked out in a team sport?
In absolute value terms, Bob. For a moment of 'Holy Cow!', Eric.

Bob is my favorite.
Mainly because of his supposed fragility and his response to it.
He certainly wasn't a physically gifted dude but (Kardashian sized but) his singular SUPER STAR attribute was overwhelming, he led like few can or do.
His team had complete trust in him. His words (outside of Rexy's) were close to Biblical to his team mates.
I will not disparage Eric but he never had the grip on the team Bob did.
Eric was generational talent. Bob was a generational leader.
See how that worked out in a team sport?
In absolute value terms, Bob. For a moment of 'Holy Cow!', Eric.
- Pompous

If I needed a goal late in a game, I'd go with Lindros.
If I needed to win a Game 7, I'd go with Clarke.

If I needed a goal late in a game, I'd go with Lindros.
If I needed to win a Game 7, I'd go with Clarke.
- jmatchett383

The way those 2 players came up are extremely contrasting as well. Clarke was the diabetic from a mickey mouse town, passed over in the draft by many. Lindros was having "the next one" articles likening him to the next once-in-a-lifetime player when he was 14 years old in the 'big city' of London Ontario.

Maybe a smidgen on Lindros. Stevens delivered that hit, as well as the one to Kariya, with the intent of separating his opponent's head from his body. In other words, with the intent to injure. Both players had already dished off the puck and Stevens' shoulder/elbow did not drive through their faces by accident or as a natural continuance of the play. In both cases, Steven's should have gotten a match penalty under the existing rules at the time. At least I think so.
- GeorgeBailey

Stevens wasn't that dirty, he just had devastating timing on his hits. He had a preternatural awareness of when guys would be distracted or unsuspecting, and he would arrive like a freight train at that very moment.

Off-topic, but is there a more obscure member of the 500-goal club than Peter Bondra?

There is an interesting article on the Athletic about Hakstol. It is primarily directed at Leafs fans to introduce him as a former great coach at UND. TJ Oshie and many other former players and staff rave about his abilities and how he always held every player “accountable” (really?). It strangely barely mentions his time with the Flyers which you would think would be more relevant to Leafs fans. He will coach the D and PK with the Leafs. Two units that steadily declined while he was here. This is good news because the Leafs are always one of the teams that I enjoy watching them lose. . They deserve nothing less than the Hak.

Off-topic, but is there a more obscure member of the 500-goal club than Peter Bondra?
- jmatchett383

I was surprised to see Hossa on the list. Great all-around player, but didn't realize he scored so many goals.

EK connecting Hoffman to Flyers🤔

EK connecting Hoffman to Flyers🤔
- arichardson22

Haha why would Florida trade him, he had a great season with them and seemed to be a good fit. Their forward depth is nowhere deep enough to take a hit like that imo.

Off-topic, but is there a more obscure member of the 500-goal club than Peter Bondra?
- jmatchett383

I don't think Bondra is obscure. He was a beast for years. Ovechkin showing up has just cast quite the shadow.

could be smoke but Hoffman is the type of player the Flyers could use, he plays the game fast and can make plays at top speed.

could be smoke but Hoffman is the type of player the Flyers could use, he plays the game fast and can make plays at top speed.
- wcorvette

It's fantasy. Don't pay attention. Go to the pool, beach, links, office.

Bullpoop baffles brains George and you sir are totally dillusional. Orr is the greatest ever and more blog is total bs.
- joegreif17

You do know that the user never claimed that Orr wasnt the greatest Dman ever but rather said that in one specific year Howe may have been more valuable to the team?

You do know that the user never claimed that Orr wasnt the greatest Dman ever but rather said that in one specific year Howe may have been more valuable to the team?
- opeth_pa

Look at the person you're responding to.