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flyer_faithful
Posts:41
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| 04/29/2009 8:49 PM |
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The only thing worse than having an exciting playoff run end due to key injuries (2008) is to have a healthy team fizzle out in the first round for no apparent reason (2009). Thus is the situation the Flyers must now confront -- the dreaded under-achiever label that I must hang on my beloved Orange & Black this year as I compile another season-end report card way too soon.
Forwards:
Richards: A-
He's going to be a great captain for many years, but the burdens of the first year in that role, and perhaps a now-known shoulder injury, were evident. Let's take comfort in the fact that we have a truy Flyer as captain under contract for many years. If he could only get the rest of the team to play with his same fire.
Carter: A
Thanks for the 46 goals, but what happened in round 1? Maybe too much time playing D against the Pens top birds. Again, let's be glad we hung on to him and look forward to 50+ next year.
Gagne: B+
Great comeback. But in the playoffs he seemed almost non-existant even though he put up a lot of goals.
Giroux: A
Nice start to a hopefully great career. We need his speed and creativity.
Briere: B
I'm getting that old Forsberg feeling with Danny. Give him another year to work with Giroux and see if he can stay healthy.
Hartnell: A
I think he took too much heat for the penalties. He's got the grit that this team lacks and can score too. And you gotta love that hair.
Knuble: B
Good veteran presence but not sure about his future worth.
Lupul: D
Trade him.
Powe: C
I'm not thrilled with him, but don't dislike him either.
Carcillo: C
Win some fights and score some goals and he'll be okay to replace Cote.
Defense:
Timmonen: A
We need him bad.
Parent, Jones & Coburn: B
I agree with others that both seemed to take a step backward this year with Terry Murray gone.
Carle: C
Not real impressed.
Alberts: D
Am I the only one that saw all the turnovers and flubbed outlet passes he made? Trade him please.
Sbisa: A
Get this kid into the NHL permanently please!
Goaltending:
Biron: B
I want to like Marty, but he's too inconsistent to believe he's a Cup-quality goalie. One game, he's in the zone. The next, he's in a daze. There were 2 goals in that last Pens game that should never have happened. I would vote to move him if another better goalie were gettable, but that might be tough.
Nitty: A-
I like Nitty and don't think he's blown his chance for #1 like everyone says.
Coaching:
I want to like Stevens too, but have to question how much influence he has over this team. The team seemed to respond only to major ass-beatings all year and not much else. I agree with others - give John 1/2 season to show some major improvement.
Mgmt:
Homer has his hands full with the salary cap crap. I never thought losing Upshall and the others would have that much impact on the team but apparently it did. Please Homer, get us some speed up front and some muscle behind the blueline. Then, get these guys motivated to at least give a good effort every night. They honestly can't say the latter happened this year and that's the reason they're out of it early, and my money is not going to your ticket sales.
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osesu96
Posts:102
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| 04/29/2009 10:32 PM |
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the two things I like to discuss are the following:
1. Sbisa - this kid should've been with the team all year. Considering how well he did during the season, he showed real promise and I believe could have made a difference in the playoffs. This kid is going to be good.
2. Richards - though I agree with your assessment that he'll be a good/great captain for years to come, part of the captaincy is to get the rest of the guys up to speed. I just didn't see him motivating the rest of the team. Perhaps he should've been whooping some ass in practice.. at least Fridge tried to stir things up when he teammates where slacking. I'll leave the door open for him as captain but he hasn't shown he's a Keith Primeau yet.
3. Nitty - I say play Antero more. He's shown to be a solid, if not more consistent goalie. Give him a chance.
4. Coach Stevens - though there was a time when this team needed some soft love but I think they need some of the Hitchcock tough love.
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