Flyers Fans: Lets hear your input
Posted 6:06 AM ET | Comments 31
What additional moves would you like to see the Flyers make?
With the additions of
Briere, Uphsall, Lupul, Hartnell, Timonen, Smith, Kukkonen, Coburn, Biron
since last season, have the Flyers put themselves back into the playoffs?
Gagne-Briere-Knuble
With the additions of a dynamic player like Briere to take the place of Forsberg, does the Flyers first line have chemisty problems? or does Briere step in and fill the void? Great players can play with any other great players... Right?
Upshall-Carter-Lupul
Upshall and Carter showed extreme promise at the end of last season. Upshall came in and him and carter became a very strong duo with some great chemisty. Upshall was at Lupuls mountain house when he got the call he was traded, does this mean they have a hockey past together? Could this be re-lighting an old fire from back in there pre-NHL days? Or does this mean they are just good friends who get along well and it will transpire onto the ice?
Kapanen-Richards-Hartnell
Not sure what to think of this line... Richards and Kapanen are two of the hardest working players on the Flyers Roster.. Hartnell from what i see is a warrior who is willing to drop the gloves and stand up for his team. Not to familiar with him but it looks like he could fit right in with the style of play Richards has. To me this is our defensive hardworking line who will give it their all every single night no matter what. This out of your third line is invaluable.
Eager, Umberger, Potulny, Ruzicka
Barring the addition of some new players a 3 man combo of these guys will most likely be the looks of our 4th line. Eager brings the fire every night and potulny and ruzicka are two players who are int he growing process in the NHL. Which is the typical makeup of a 4th line in the NHL. Umberger looks to be the odd man out and most likely is being shopped around as we speak since he will be a RFA next season. If not he's a hell of a 4th line center paired up with Eager and one of the two young prospects.
Timonen-Smith
Two veteran players. Should be a sollid matchup. Fast skilled Timonen, with a grounded hard hitting Smith. Two STRONG leadership type players as our top defensive pair... Very encouraging for the young promising players we have behind them.
Kukkonen-Coburn
Could this be the future top defensive pair of the Flyers? Could they grow behind two skilled veteran players? Showed great promise at the end of last season. Lets just hope they get the chance to be paired together and grow into something great here in Philly.
Hatcher, Picard, Jones, Gauthier, and possibly Parent
Some sort of pairing here for the 3rd pairing. I expect to see either Gauthier or Hatcher moved and replaced through an Umberger Trade. We will have to wait and see... The 3rd pairing is the next thing on Homers list i feel... Does Parent crack the lineup this season? Would love to see him get his shot, nothing but raving reviews about this kid.
Biron
Niittymaki
The Sabres fans tend to talk down on Biron, he came in and played some tremendous goal tending for us to bring the season to a close. Niittymaki has everything to prove in the next 2 years in order to get that payday, he also was the MVP of the olympics... that doesnt happen on accident. Definately a great improvement from Nitty and Esche.
There is much talk of team chemistry and players getting used to playing with one another... Alot of these players have played together in the past, hell we have half the Finish team on our squad. Along with 4 players we pretty much acquired for Forsberg... Upshall, Hartnell, Timonen, Parent. Who all played together in Nashville, I believe Upshall was roommates with either Timonen or Hartnell.. Can't remember which it was. I dont feel team chemistry is going to be a problem at all.
How do we feel about our 2007-2008 Philadelphia Flyers? Are they back into the Playoffs?
Timonen- C
Gagne- A
Kapanen- A
With the additions of
Briere, Uphsall, Lupul, Hartnell, Timonen, Smith, Kukkonen, Coburn, Biron
since last season, have the Flyers put themselves back into the playoffs?
Gagne-Briere-Knuble
With the additions of a dynamic player like Briere to take the place of Forsberg, does the Flyers first line have chemisty problems? or does Briere step in and fill the void? Great players can play with any other great players... Right?
Upshall-Carter-Lupul
Upshall and Carter showed extreme promise at the end of last season. Upshall came in and him and carter became a very strong duo with some great chemisty. Upshall was at Lupuls mountain house when he got the call he was traded, does this mean they have a hockey past together? Could this be re-lighting an old fire from back in there pre-NHL days? Or does this mean they are just good friends who get along well and it will transpire onto the ice?
Kapanen-Richards-Hartnell
Not sure what to think of this line... Richards and Kapanen are two of the hardest working players on the Flyers Roster.. Hartnell from what i see is a warrior who is willing to drop the gloves and stand up for his team. Not to familiar with him but it looks like he could fit right in with the style of play Richards has. To me this is our defensive hardworking line who will give it their all every single night no matter what. This out of your third line is invaluable.
Eager, Umberger, Potulny, Ruzicka
Barring the addition of some new players a 3 man combo of these guys will most likely be the looks of our 4th line. Eager brings the fire every night and potulny and ruzicka are two players who are int he growing process in the NHL. Which is the typical makeup of a 4th line in the NHL. Umberger looks to be the odd man out and most likely is being shopped around as we speak since he will be a RFA next season. If not he's a hell of a 4th line center paired up with Eager and one of the two young prospects.
Timonen-Smith
Two veteran players. Should be a sollid matchup. Fast skilled Timonen, with a grounded hard hitting Smith. Two STRONG leadership type players as our top defensive pair... Very encouraging for the young promising players we have behind them.
Kukkonen-Coburn
Could this be the future top defensive pair of the Flyers? Could they grow behind two skilled veteran players? Showed great promise at the end of last season. Lets just hope they get the chance to be paired together and grow into something great here in Philly.
Hatcher, Picard, Jones, Gauthier, and possibly Parent
Some sort of pairing here for the 3rd pairing. I expect to see either Gauthier or Hatcher moved and replaced through an Umberger Trade. We will have to wait and see... The 3rd pairing is the next thing on Homers list i feel... Does Parent crack the lineup this season? Would love to see him get his shot, nothing but raving reviews about this kid.
Biron
Niittymaki
The Sabres fans tend to talk down on Biron, he came in and played some tremendous goal tending for us to bring the season to a close. Niittymaki has everything to prove in the next 2 years in order to get that payday, he also was the MVP of the olympics... that doesnt happen on accident. Definately a great improvement from Nitty and Esche.
There is much talk of team chemistry and players getting used to playing with one another... Alot of these players have played together in the past, hell we have half the Finish team on our squad. Along with 4 players we pretty much acquired for Forsberg... Upshall, Hartnell, Timonen, Parent. Who all played together in Nashville, I believe Upshall was roommates with either Timonen or Hartnell.. Can't remember which it was. I dont feel team chemistry is going to be a problem at all.
How do we feel about our 2007-2008 Philadelphia Flyers? Are they back into the Playoffs?
Timonen- C
Gagne- A
Kapanen- A
simple answer... NO!
they should be based on paper - but we all know that doesn't always translate to success on the ice. Improved? No doubt. It will be interesting to watch that is for sure....
It really depends on if they all gel and work hard...
As a Sabres fan I want to say No..lol BUT it was a great signing with Briere and you got a great deal with Edmonton for Smith and Lupul. Biron is a solid goalie. I believe the Flyers will compete for the division and either win it or get the 4th seed. It will be a good year for Flyer fans. You guys will be thrilled with Briere, he is a great player. No matter what other Sabre fans say Philly will be better and Briere is going to improve that team. Look for him to be a team leader and put up the same point total he did with Buffalo.
THANK GOD. A buffalo Sabres Fan with some brains in his head. I feel as though the Flyers are a playoff team... but this I feel chemistry wont be a problem with the team because of the way Homer built it and the idea alot of these players do have a history together. And thank go for a sane buffalo sabres fan.
I think we will be a playoff team for sure. Briere will do exactly what forsberg did for Gagne. Definatly added some veteren leaders to the room in Timonen, Smith and Briere. I think we will do amazing. Good article.
Thanks man.. stay tunned I will be throwing up alot of stuff for debate within the Flyers family and different types of topics to discuss... should turn out to be a fun blog
Gauthier is likely to be traded. Could be replaced by Parent, Picard or even Jussi Timonen. They seem to want an enforcer. Selanne talk seems strange. He'd cause some major line juggling up front.
Yea the Selanne trade does seem as though it would cause a bit of a mix-up and at this point put hartnell/lupul/upshall down on the 4th line... I think yes gauthier needs to go but like i said in my article i think there is a list of players who will see the ice before Parent even though i want to see him play. The top priority right now to me is solidifying that back end of the defense. Umberger needs to go immediately for a 3rd line offensive minded d-man.
That's right, Timonen was roomates with Upshall for a number of years, I remember him saying that in the conference call after the trade first went down. I don't really see Hartnell on the third line with the money they're paying him, but then again who knows how anything will look with all these new faces? If this team is able to get some good chemistry, and the talent is obviously there, this will be a great season. Factor in the fact that these guys are not going to want last season to happen again, I think they'll be extra motivated to improve a lot.
Yea It's tough to put hartnell on the 3rd line... but can you break up Upshall and Carter right now? there was too much promise with them two last season I believe
Hartnell can play either wing, so you don't have to break up Carter and Upshall to have him on the 2nd line. Lupul needs to prove himself again, he isn't going to be just given a spot on the top lines. He he was a pretty severe minus last season and only finished with about 15 goals.
So your feeling is Lupul will be the guy on the 3rd line? I can see that happening as well. Pairing him with two strong defensive minded players isn't a bad idea at all. I'm not too sure why but I never looked at him on the 3rd line and now that you said it it really makes sense. Good post
If Umberger gets traded, it'll be to clear space, not to add anyone. They don't need any more defensemen. Picard, Jussi Timonen, Parent...all of those guys will get a shot. Preant or Picard probably are the top two to get a shot to play. Lupul COULD land on a line with Carter, last year was just a disaster all around and the Flyers need him to rebound from it or they lost Pitkanen for nothing.
Another year on the phantoms for Picard, Parent, Timonen would be ideal for me. Even Jones. Keep in mind Hatcher and Smith will be departing next season. Why not get that jump stat with bringing in a new player with the value we have in Umberger? And let our young players develope another year? And next season have a very competative situation on the defensive end of things? It makes alot of sense to me to go get a d-man with the value of Umberger.
either way we will see Picard this season is some fassion because he is a RFA next season... but how benificial cap wise would it be to sign him to a contract after playing a season with the phantoms? Would save them much dinero.
Flyers will absolutely be a playoff team this year...ok, they better - I'm tired of hearing about it from my Buffalo, Devils, and Rangers friends. Wow, I gotta get some new friends...
Lots of good points in the Blog... At first blush I'd want Hartnell on the 2nd, but I like his D work better on the third; the point about Uppie and Lupul makes me feel batter about his possibly going on the 2nd -- justification for trying it anyway, along with the D factor - The Nashville point is also well taken; a lot of chemistry with them... I like Hatcher with Coburn as the second paring to give him more minutes and team him up again with Coburn; bu I suppose if he plays a lot on the PK, and spotted again on the PP, he will pick up a lot of minutes there, so your pairing may work out okay in the long run... All in all Training Camp should answer a lot of questions and it will Stevens job to ultimately sort it all out -- To answer your question; I feel that the Fly-Guys will no doubt make the POs, and be on a good path to make a run again at the Cup pretty soon.
Nice blog, FlyersAreBackk. YOur name says it all. Yes, the Flyers are back and will be a playoff team next year. On paper, this is a playoff team, one which will give its playoff opponenet everything they can handle, and having every chance to come out on top, regardless of who is the opponent. I dont forsee much a problem with chemistry, either. Briere, Timonen and Smith are verteran players, who have well founded knowledge of how to play at the highest level in the NHL. They should be fine fitting in and finding chemistry with their partners. Likewise Carter and Upshall foudn chemistry right away, and I have a very strong feeling Lupul will fit right in with them on the second line, finding some immediate chemisty and getting better as the year progresses. Upshall and Lupul being friends only makes it even more likely he will find chemistry on the line and fit right in.Hartnell works on our third line because our third line is more than the typical shutdown line -- they score goals too! Hartnell is solid defensively and will fit right in with the style and chemistry Richards and Kapanen already share; AND add to their scoring. But, we could see Hartnell on the second line and Lupul on the third. As was said, Richards and Kapanen would likely be able to cover for weaknesses in Lupul's defense, while guiding his defensive development at the same time. But, I think Hartnell on the third line is safer, at least until Lupul's defensive skill develop further, and by then he's already have the chemistry with Carter and Upshall. A third line should have weak links, and Lupul may be a weak link in the third line, at least while his defensive skills develop. I also think Hartnell's style of play is more compatible with Richards' and Kapanen's style than is Lupul' style.I agree, I think Umberger will be traded. I just dont see how we sign Richards, Carter, Coburn and Picard and Umberger too, who are all RFAs next year. I dont think he would be traded for a defenseman, though, but it is a possibility. We already have some very solid defensive prospects waiting to take on a starting position in the NHL. I'd think Umberger would more likely be traded for a prospect not quite ready for the NHL yet and/or for high draft picks.I like Hatcher with Coburn, although I like the idea of Kukkonen and Coburn on the same line. But, neither of them have much NHL experience and while Kukkonen is very steady in his own end, I'm not quite sure he's ready to be paired with an NHL rookie (which Coburn is) and capable of both teaching him the postion, like Hatcher could, and covering for him when he makes a mistake, too. So my d-pairing, depending on Gauthier are:Timonen - SmithCoburn - HatcherKukkonen - Gauthier or Picard Jones - 7th defenseman
Great response bro. However... Keep in mind hatcher, smith, coburn, picard could ALL be gone next season. If you can get a puck moving defenseman now with the value of Umberger it needs to be done now. Picard will be much easier to sign as a RFA if takes another year to develope on the Phantoms which is sleezy but reality. Like u said it will be tough to sign coburn, smith could be gone, picard could be gone, hatcher could be gone, gauthier could be gone. That leaves timonen, kukkonen, Parent, Jones as our defense next year. With the moves we made its benificial to allow these young defenseman to take another year to develope and bring in player to fill their roll untill next season. I dont want to see anymore Philadelphia Flyers rushed into the NHL because we dont have enough players.
scratch Jones from that list hes another RFA next season.
I wish I lived in or around Philly so I could go to opening night
Does anyone know how long it would take to get from Pittsburg to philly?. Im 4 hours away from Pittsburg. (niagara falls canada). Me and my buddy are planning a trip for opening night. Anyone know when the schdule comes out?
Not too sure when the schedule comes out but pitt is about 7 hours from the stadiums if i remember correctly. I am going to post a very interesting blog within the next few hour about the Flyers cap situation approaching next season, i know we are still worried about this season, but after looking into it it is a very interesting situation. so stop back in the next few hours and post your thoughts
Interesting article I have typed up about the Flyers future that should hit the blogs Tomorrow... make sure you guys come back and check it out.
Flyers fans - I am a big Sabres fan and was initially quite mad at Danny for his decision. If I was mad, it means I think he is a great addition to you team. I liked what I saw of the flyers towards the end of the season and believe you will be in the playoffs this year. Marty is a great goaltender who deserves to be a no. 1, with a great personality as well. While I will always chear for my Sabres, I will also be chearing for Philly this year as well, except of course, when they play Buffalo! I think Philly will be VERY exciting to watch this year.
Thank you from another sane Buffalo fan. Good luck to you guys this year... Hope the lack of leadership doesnt bite you in the ass like it has to us the past 2 years.
I think we will be improved. If we make the playoffs great.
How can we be any WORSE than last year? Of course there will be improvement! I think 2nd or 3rd in the Division, 4th or 5th in the Conference.
If Marty plays up to being #1 goalie than you guys will be in the playoffs. It will be interetsing to see how he handles the burden
Shayne, its about 9-10 hours to get to Philly from Niagara Falls. It took me 8 hours from where I live, and I live an hour and a half west of Philly.