The Flyers Are No Fluke: For those Amateur Hockey Fans
Posted 7:34 PM ET | Comments 5
I need to get this out, but I'm very frustrated from what I've seen many Montreal posters write and other teams posters write.
This is NOT some damn fluke.
We're missing our best player in Simon Gagne right now. And we happen to have probably the 3 best well rounded lines in the NHL right now and they're only going to get better with Gags back and two of the NHL's elite prospects in Claude Giroux, recently ranked #15, and James van Riemsdyk, recently ranked #3. Maybe these teams hate our fans or the Broad Street Bullies, but you're going to be seeing the Flyers deep in the playoffs for the next 13 years in the "Mike Richards Era" which has begun.
I mean, hello, just look at the Flyers team Up and Down.
The Flyers will be led by Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, and Simon Gagne for the next many years.
Mike Richards: Leader, Scorer, Two-Way player, Heart. Richards can do it all. Point-Man on the #2 ranked PP in the NHL this season. Our top penalty killer, earned himself a 12 year $69 Million dollar contract this season. Richards gets comparisons to Bobby Clarke because of his heart, leadership, scoring ability, and two-way hockey. Richards is the heart and soul of this team for many years to come and hopefully like Bobby, he'll hoist the cup one day as well.
Daniel Briere: The Flyers top offensive weapon. Briere is making just a little above $6 million a year, I find it sort of fair considering Hossa is expected to get $7 Million this off-season. Briere is the scoring center for this team. He struggled throughout the year without a big-time winger, but Prospal quickly fixed that. He had very good early success with Simon and expect that to come back with a healthy Simon back next season. Briere is becoming loved in Philly after having a great playoff run so far, and certainly hope and expect it to continue, but we shall see. All I know is I'm happy to have Dannyboy for the next 7 years of watching my Flyers.
Simon Gagne: Please don't forget about the two-time 40 goal scorer. Gagne was a top liner for Team Canada two years ago because of his scoring ability and two-way hockey. Gagne brings so much to this team. He is well respected and is a sniper that is so missed on our PP and 5 on 5 play. Gags hopes to get back goin next year to prove those that he is not Lindros or Primeau. Gagne compares his situation to one in which Paul Kariya had many years ago. Hopefully Gags comes back and the Flyers get their sniper and top goal scorer back to stick with Danny for years to come.
Jeff Carter: Two-way hockey, unbelivable wrist shot, size, and skill. Carter is one of the few fancy guys on this team, but wow can he score some pretty goals. Many compare Carter to Sundin or Sakic, but we shall see. Carter has 40 goal talent, and many who think he won't get enough time in Philly are wrong. Carter heads the second-unit of the PP, is out there on the penalty-kill all the time, and sees plenty of 5 on 5 play, Carter gets plenty of ice time. He had a 29 goal season this year and is only going to get better. Carter, Richards, and Briere headline our 3 lines for the future and already are showing the dividends it can have to have 3 All-Star talents at center.
Scott Hartnell: John Stevens loves throwing pucks to the net, and we need guys that can score those dirty goals. Hartnell fits right in. A big physical player like Scottie are needed on good clubs to win. Hartnell is signed long-term here and for a nice price in my opinion. Hartnell is a guy who will do all the little things for you and score 25 goals a season while he's at it. He's a guy that we love to have on our team and is an ingredient needed for a cup. Pittsburgh has Malone, Detroit has Franzen, we have Hartnell. Knuble is another guy who will score dirty goals, however Knuble likely has only another year left with this club.
Joffrey Lupul: 30-40 goal talent. He scored 20 this season in 58 games and showed at times what a sniper and scorer he could be. He seems to have great chemistry with Richards, and I can't wait to see him back next year when he'll finally be fully recovered from his ankle that is still bothering right now. Loops is a streaky scorer, but what a wrist shot he has and has some dangling moves that he can pull off when he's hot. Loops is just another scorer in this lineup that is so deep.
RJ Umberger: Will he be back? I don't know. I would expect him back at least for another year. Umberger really worked his tail off in the off-season and had a career year in points and assists. He tallied 40 assists and near 15 goals this season and seems to be a Penguin killer. He's had an unbelivable playoff run with 9 goals in 13 games so far and 8 goals in 5 games against the Habs. Umberger has good speed and size, and brings some more depth to this loaded front attack.
Scottie Upshall: Energy. Scottie brings i every shift and plays on an edge every shift he's out there. He has one hell of a snap shot and can bring a big hit when needed to. Upshall has serious talent. He can score over 20 goals in a season with his shot and skill, but staying healthy seems to be a problem of his. Upshall is a pest as well and certainly a popular player in Philly because of his looks.
Steve Downie: A Sean Avery with more skill is what many describe him as. Downie isn't contributing much now, but expect him to have a bigger role in the future. Downie has 25 goal potential as well as a guy to get under other players skin. Only 20 years old, Downie was a top liner last year for Canada at the World Juniors and was a high rated prospect coming into this season. Downie must learn to control his emotions in the NHL though, and after the big incident I think he's done a pretty good job.
Claude Giroux: Setting records right now up in the QMJHL playoffs in Quebec. Giroux has 51 points in 17 games in the post-season. Giroux is a two-way player who was also a top liner for this year's WJC Gold Medal Canadian team. He played with Kyle Turris. Giroux is a playmaking winger. I'd compare him to a Backstrom or Bergeron. He's small but can really pass and setup so well and can dangle quite a bit. I think he'll be a very good fit with Carts. Giroux joins Briere, Gagne, and Biron as the 4th French Canadian on the team. He was rated the #15 overall prospect by the Hockey News in their latest rankings.
James vanRiemsdyk: Selected #2 overall the draft last June, JVR is ranked as the #3 Prospect in the land behind only Carey Price and Kyle Turris. He was the number one player rated on Holmgrem's board at the draft and is often compared to Johnny LeClair. He's big and can score those ugly goals, but he's also got good speed for a big guy and has a fantastic wrist shot. He led all scorers at this winter's WJC championships. He was on the US squad and grew up in New Jersey.
Kimmo Timonen: Heart and Soul of the blueline. Quarterback of the Powerplay, Penalty Killer, shot blocker, leader, and offensive defenseman. Kimmo is an all-star and does it all. You could as far as call him the most important player on the Flyers and we could be seeing that right now in the playoffs as the Flyers are without him. In the last stretch of the year he finally found his long-time partner here in Braydon Coburn. These two together are going to be special and have already shown what they can do against the likes of Ovie and Kovalev.
Braydon Coburn: Many call Coburn a sure all-star in the future. Coburn has ridiculous speed for a big d-man and he can certainly fly. Coburn plays excellent in his own zone and also has some nice offensive talent. He could be a nice 15 goal Dman for this team as well be probably the most solid man in his own zone. He's become more physical lately which should only improve his game for the future. Homer's trade or Coburn already looks like a nightmare for the Thrashers.
Ryan Parent: The Flyers need Parent to be a top 4 dman for the future. If the Flyers can bring in a solid veteran to pair with Parent and then have Jones and Hatcher together for next year this team's defense will look really solid. Parent was partnered with Macr Staal for two years at the WJC with Canada and they never let a goal in when they were on the ice. Parent has great skating ability and is always in good position. He has much to learn but he should be a very solid defensive dman for the Flyers.
Marin Biron: Marty is no old goat. He's 30 and the Flyers have appeared to find their #1 goalie for at least a few more years. There is no doubt in my mind we have a true #1 goalie and that Marty could win us a cup whether it is this year or years later. Marty is not the greatest East COast West Coast goalie, but he has a great glove and a great mental makeup that makes him a very good goalie. He's a great locker room guys and the fans love him as well. Here's to hopes of chanting Marty at the Wach for years to come!
This Flyers club is no fluke, and you hockey fans out there better get familiar with this team and their core group of guys. You'll be seeing them for a longtim
This is NOT some damn fluke.
We're missing our best player in Simon Gagne right now. And we happen to have probably the 3 best well rounded lines in the NHL right now and they're only going to get better with Gags back and two of the NHL's elite prospects in Claude Giroux, recently ranked #15, and James van Riemsdyk, recently ranked #3. Maybe these teams hate our fans or the Broad Street Bullies, but you're going to be seeing the Flyers deep in the playoffs for the next 13 years in the "Mike Richards Era" which has begun.
I mean, hello, just look at the Flyers team Up and Down.
The Flyers will be led by Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, and Simon Gagne for the next many years.
Mike Richards: Leader, Scorer, Two-Way player, Heart. Richards can do it all. Point-Man on the #2 ranked PP in the NHL this season. Our top penalty killer, earned himself a 12 year $69 Million dollar contract this season. Richards gets comparisons to Bobby Clarke because of his heart, leadership, scoring ability, and two-way hockey. Richards is the heart and soul of this team for many years to come and hopefully like Bobby, he'll hoist the cup one day as well.
Daniel Briere: The Flyers top offensive weapon. Briere is making just a little above $6 million a year, I find it sort of fair considering Hossa is expected to get $7 Million this off-season. Briere is the scoring center for this team. He struggled throughout the year without a big-time winger, but Prospal quickly fixed that. He had very good early success with Simon and expect that to come back with a healthy Simon back next season. Briere is becoming loved in Philly after having a great playoff run so far, and certainly hope and expect it to continue, but we shall see. All I know is I'm happy to have Dannyboy for the next 7 years of watching my Flyers.
Simon Gagne: Please don't forget about the two-time 40 goal scorer. Gagne was a top liner for Team Canada two years ago because of his scoring ability and two-way hockey. Gagne brings so much to this team. He is well respected and is a sniper that is so missed on our PP and 5 on 5 play. Gags hopes to get back goin next year to prove those that he is not Lindros or Primeau. Gagne compares his situation to one in which Paul Kariya had many years ago. Hopefully Gags comes back and the Flyers get their sniper and top goal scorer back to stick with Danny for years to come.
Jeff Carter: Two-way hockey, unbelivable wrist shot, size, and skill. Carter is one of the few fancy guys on this team, but wow can he score some pretty goals. Many compare Carter to Sundin or Sakic, but we shall see. Carter has 40 goal talent, and many who think he won't get enough time in Philly are wrong. Carter heads the second-unit of the PP, is out there on the penalty-kill all the time, and sees plenty of 5 on 5 play, Carter gets plenty of ice time. He had a 29 goal season this year and is only going to get better. Carter, Richards, and Briere headline our 3 lines for the future and already are showing the dividends it can have to have 3 All-Star talents at center.
Scott Hartnell: John Stevens loves throwing pucks to the net, and we need guys that can score those dirty goals. Hartnell fits right in. A big physical player like Scottie are needed on good clubs to win. Hartnell is signed long-term here and for a nice price in my opinion. Hartnell is a guy who will do all the little things for you and score 25 goals a season while he's at it. He's a guy that we love to have on our team and is an ingredient needed for a cup. Pittsburgh has Malone, Detroit has Franzen, we have Hartnell. Knuble is another guy who will score dirty goals, however Knuble likely has only another year left with this club.
Joffrey Lupul: 30-40 goal talent. He scored 20 this season in 58 games and showed at times what a sniper and scorer he could be. He seems to have great chemistry with Richards, and I can't wait to see him back next year when he'll finally be fully recovered from his ankle that is still bothering right now. Loops is a streaky scorer, but what a wrist shot he has and has some dangling moves that he can pull off when he's hot. Loops is just another scorer in this lineup that is so deep.
RJ Umberger: Will he be back? I don't know. I would expect him back at least for another year. Umberger really worked his tail off in the off-season and had a career year in points and assists. He tallied 40 assists and near 15 goals this season and seems to be a Penguin killer. He's had an unbelivable playoff run with 9 goals in 13 games so far and 8 goals in 5 games against the Habs. Umberger has good speed and size, and brings some more depth to this loaded front attack.
Scottie Upshall: Energy. Scottie brings i every shift and plays on an edge every shift he's out there. He has one hell of a snap shot and can bring a big hit when needed to. Upshall has serious talent. He can score over 20 goals in a season with his shot and skill, but staying healthy seems to be a problem of his. Upshall is a pest as well and certainly a popular player in Philly because of his looks.
Steve Downie: A Sean Avery with more skill is what many describe him as. Downie isn't contributing much now, but expect him to have a bigger role in the future. Downie has 25 goal potential as well as a guy to get under other players skin. Only 20 years old, Downie was a top liner last year for Canada at the World Juniors and was a high rated prospect coming into this season. Downie must learn to control his emotions in the NHL though, and after the big incident I think he's done a pretty good job.
Claude Giroux: Setting records right now up in the QMJHL playoffs in Quebec. Giroux has 51 points in 17 games in the post-season. Giroux is a two-way player who was also a top liner for this year's WJC Gold Medal Canadian team. He played with Kyle Turris. Giroux is a playmaking winger. I'd compare him to a Backstrom or Bergeron. He's small but can really pass and setup so well and can dangle quite a bit. I think he'll be a very good fit with Carts. Giroux joins Briere, Gagne, and Biron as the 4th French Canadian on the team. He was rated the #15 overall prospect by the Hockey News in their latest rankings.
James vanRiemsdyk: Selected #2 overall the draft last June, JVR is ranked as the #3 Prospect in the land behind only Carey Price and Kyle Turris. He was the number one player rated on Holmgrem's board at the draft and is often compared to Johnny LeClair. He's big and can score those ugly goals, but he's also got good speed for a big guy and has a fantastic wrist shot. He led all scorers at this winter's WJC championships. He was on the US squad and grew up in New Jersey.
Kimmo Timonen: Heart and Soul of the blueline. Quarterback of the Powerplay, Penalty Killer, shot blocker, leader, and offensive defenseman. Kimmo is an all-star and does it all. You could as far as call him the most important player on the Flyers and we could be seeing that right now in the playoffs as the Flyers are without him. In the last stretch of the year he finally found his long-time partner here in Braydon Coburn. These two together are going to be special and have already shown what they can do against the likes of Ovie and Kovalev.
Braydon Coburn: Many call Coburn a sure all-star in the future. Coburn has ridiculous speed for a big d-man and he can certainly fly. Coburn plays excellent in his own zone and also has some nice offensive talent. He could be a nice 15 goal Dman for this team as well be probably the most solid man in his own zone. He's become more physical lately which should only improve his game for the future. Homer's trade or Coburn already looks like a nightmare for the Thrashers.
Ryan Parent: The Flyers need Parent to be a top 4 dman for the future. If the Flyers can bring in a solid veteran to pair with Parent and then have Jones and Hatcher together for next year this team's defense will look really solid. Parent was partnered with Macr Staal for two years at the WJC with Canada and they never let a goal in when they were on the ice. Parent has great skating ability and is always in good position. He has much to learn but he should be a very solid defensive dman for the Flyers.
Marin Biron: Marty is no old goat. He's 30 and the Flyers have appeared to find their #1 goalie for at least a few more years. There is no doubt in my mind we have a true #1 goalie and that Marty could win us a cup whether it is this year or years later. Marty is not the greatest East COast West Coast goalie, but he has a great glove and a great mental makeup that makes him a very good goalie. He's a great locker room guys and the fans love him as well. Here's to hopes of chanting Marty at the Wach for years to come!
This Flyers club is no fluke, and you hockey fans out there better get familiar with this team and their core group of guys. You'll be seeing them for a longtim
Great Job. This depth that Holmgren and Clarke has amassed will serve the Flyers well in the future. They are poised to be very good for a while. This is no fluke and you can certainly see why the Pens wanted to avoid a 1st round series with the Orange and Black. Last season was the FLUKE!
Agreed about last season! Thanks for the comments.
Nice job. Giroux finished the playoffs in the Q with 17 goals, 34 assists and was a plus 40 somethng in plus / minus, and won the MVP of the playoffs as Gatineaux won the President's Cup. For those of us who get the NHL Network, we can get a look at the future Flyer during the Memorial Cup tournament later this week
Thanks for the comments.