Philadelphia Flyers year in review

[yave1964]

PRESEASON OUTLOOK

Cautious optimism. Hope was that a full season of Mason in net and free agent signings Lecavalier, Steit and Emery would be enough to get the club back on track and back into the playoffs.

FINAL RECORD

42-30-10 94 points 6th in East

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR

22 goal scorer Matt Read had 8 short handed points and only 2 PPP. Home cooking was very nice for Voracek and Giroux as they were a combined plus 30 but on the road they were a minus 12.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR

On March 22nd the Flyers beat Ryan Miller and the Blues 4-1 for their fifth win in a row giving them a record of 38-25-7 and they were peaking late in the year, a certainty for the playoffs, just a matter of playing for positioning. At that point their record in their past 55 games was a whopping 34-15-6.

LOW POINT OF THE SEASON

Easiest of any team. I was in a hotel room watching the nationally televised game against the Capitals on November 1st against the Capitals. They were destroyed 7-0 to fall to 3-9, Ray Emery came down the ice and beat the hell out of the Capitals goalie who stayed in the game for his shutout, Lecavalier was injured in a fight, newly reacquired Steve Downie in his first game back left in an ambulance and spent the night in the hospital after losing a fight and being concussed. This was the bottom. From there they had a gut check and turned the season around.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Claude Giroux (28-58-86) after a slow start turned it around and is a Hart trophy finalist as the league MVP. Jacub Voracek (23-39-62) continues to excel. Rugged Wayne Simmonds had 29 goals and 60 points and a solid 15 PPG. After a slow start Scott Hartnell (20-32-52) came on strong. Steve Mason was solid as could be in net. Mark Streit (10-34-44) was a good signing at least offensively from the blue line.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Vinnie Lecavalier managed 20 goals but did not earn his large contract. Steve Downie managed only 3 goals in 51 games and was out of sync. Ray Emery had some good games but made the fans nervous every time his name was in the lineup. Nicklas Grossman is slowing down to the point of being an orange pylon. Luke Schenn looked lost occasionally and offered zero offense.

MVP

Giroux easily though Mason was damn good.

UFAs

Kimmo Timonen

Steve Downie

Ray Emery

Adam Hall

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

Can Brayden Schenn (21-20-41) play the role of second line center? Is it worth resigning Kimmo Timonen or is he about done? Emery? Is Couturier only a solid defensive forward or were the occasional flashes a sign of offense to come? With several kids looking to break into the lineup next season should they consider trading a solid forward for defensive help?

[pilldoc]

@yave1964

 

Fair assessement. (my comments in RED)

 

PRESEASON OUTLOOK

Cautious optimism. Hope was that a full season of Mason in net and free agent signings Lecavalier, Steit and Emery would be enough to get the club back on track and back into the playoffs.

 

Many on here did not think they would even make the playoffs with so many question marks including myself.  I disagreed with the signing of LVC the day that it occured and my feelings have not changed.  As I have stated numerous times, I don't hate LVC. I hate the contract and he was the wrong person for this team.

 

Mason was an enigma - I was cautiously optimistic.

Streit proved me wrong.  Still don't like the 35+ contract but did better than I expected.

FINAL RECORD
42-30-10 94 points 6th in East

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR
22 goal scorer Matt Read had 8 short handed points and only 2 PPP. Home cooking was very nice for Voracek and Giroux as they were a combined plus 30 but on the road they were a minus 12.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR

On March 22nd the Flyers beat Ryan Miller and the Blues 4-1 for their fifth win in a row giving them a record of 38-25-7 and they were peaking late in the year, a certainty for the playoffs, just a matter of playing for positioning. At that point their record in their past 55 games was a whopping 34-15-6.

 

I think the games immediately prior to the Olympics and the games immediately post Olympics showed what this team was capable of.  It was fun for a few games. 

LOW POINT OF THE SEASON

Easiest of any team. I was in a hotel room watching the nationally televised game against the Capitals on November 1st against the Capitals. They were destroyed 7-0 to fall to 3-9, Ray Emery came down the ice and beat the hell out of the Capitals goalie who stayed in the game for his shutout, Lecavalier was injured in a fight, newly reacquired Steve Downie in his first game back left in an ambulance and spent the night in the hospital after losing a fight and being concussed. This was the bottom. From there they had a gut check and turned the season around.

 

Where to I begin?

1. As I mentioned in my other post - you CANNOT start the season 4-10-1 and get your coach fired.

2. Giroux starting out the way he did.

3. Agree that Caps game and many of us on here infuriated. 

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Claude Giroux (28-58-86) after a slow start turned it around and is a Hart trophy finalist as the league MVP. Jacub Voracek (23-39-62) continues to excel. Rugged Wayne Simmonds had 29 goals and 60 points and a solid 15 PPG. After a slow start Scott Hartnell (20-32-52) came on strong. Steve Mason was solid as could be in net. Mark Streit (10-34-44) was a good signing at least offensively from the blue line.

 

Can't argue much here.  Giroux did finially rebound and we finally found a net minder in Mason. Are Raffl and Akeson diamonds in the rough? Ghost was signed to an ELC.  Future looks bright in the future for the blue-line.  The players seem to buy into Berube.  Better coach than what most of us first thought.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Vinnie Lecavalier managed 20 goals but did not earn his large contract. Steve Downie managed only 3 goals in 51 games and was out of sync. Ray Emery had some good games but made the fans nervous every time his name was in the lineup. Nicklas Grossman is slowing down to the point of being an orange pylon. Luke Schenn looked lost occasionally and offered zero offense.

 

Again, can't argue much here.  Might add the massive amout penalties and turnovers this team collectively committed.  At times, this team simply forgets how to skate.  Oh and may I add such a pi$$$ poor performance to start the season that it earned Lavy his walking papers.

MVP
Giroux easily though Mason was damn good.

 

Agreed

UFAs
Kimmo Timonen - love the guy but his time is done
Steve Downie - bye - don't let the door hit you in the a$$$
Ray Emery - resign? both Heeter and Stolarz are the cheaper options but is it the better option?
Adam Hall - nice knowing you

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS
Can Brayden Schenn (21-20-41) play the role of second line center? Is it worth resigning Kimmo Timonen or is he about done? Emery? Is Couturier only a solid defensive forward or were the occasional flashes a sign of offense to come? With several kids looking to break into the lineup next season should they consider trading a solid forward for defensive help?

 

1. Can you try to move LVC? He jsut does not fit here. 
2. How does Laughton fit into the picture?
3. The Kimmo question. - He comes back ONLY for a very very cheep rate and there are no other options available.
4. Can Ghost make the line or does he need a year of seasoning in the AHL?
5. Agree - who is the backup?  Resign or let Heeter / Stolarz fight it out?
6. B. Schenn / L. Schenn - who stays who goes? I know B. Schenn is still young, but how much longer will the Flyers wait to see if he elavates his game even more?  L.Schenn - just does not skate as hard as he needs to be doing.
7. Acquire an UFA LW Sniper to play with Giroux - maybe Vanek?
8. Acquire an UFA D-man? But who?  Try to pry Niskanen away from the Pens?

Great Job Yave! Thanks for posting!

[Samifan]

@yave1964-great write up

@pilldoc- agree

 

Based on the Flyers history with allowing defense and goalies to develop, I hope they do not rush Ghost, Heeter or Stolarz. Give Ghost some time in the A to adjust to the pro game/travel etc. As far as goaltending, I would rather have an NHL proven goalie to back up Mase. I would not be opposed to Emery coming back for another year at the same price. He seems like a good teammate and supportive of Mason. I think if he has accepted he is a back-up and willing to playing just 15 games or so and HEALTHY, Homer/Hexy/Uncle Ed should offer Razor a contract.

[yave1964]

@pilldoc

Thanks Doc!

I have written one of these for each team as their season came to an end, this one made me nervous with so many Flyer fans in here. A few things about Flyer players as an outsider looking in.

I love Couturier, he is what, 21 years old? Most players his age are still in the AHL or college, he is established and showed spurts of offensive talent. Just enough to drive you nuts but no way no how would I even consider giving up on him now.

Brayden Schenn IMHO is a solid 3rd line center who hits and plays hard but is miscast as a top six forward out of need. I don't think he is the problem, the way they are being forced to use him is the problem.

Mark Streit is ripped on pretty hard in here but he really is not that bad. I know the contract keeps him around til the age of 40 and that I get as a point of derision, but overall he had a pretty decent year.

Matt Read is as good as he ever will be, a solid two way forward who scores around 20 goals a year. Hartnell is getting up in age. Essentially the two of them aren't going to get any better. The kids need to step up on the wing and give some relief to Simmonds and Voracek who are damn nice players but are overtaxed with what is expected of them because of lack of skill on the lower lines. Did guys like Downie, Vandervelde, Hall and Rosehill all really hold down semi regular spots in the lineup for portions of the year? That has to end.

Finally, unpopular in here but Rinaldo is IMHO a waste of a roster spot. He is not Brad Marchand, he is a caricature of the type. I know he works hard and the fans love him but when you are throwing a fourth line out of guys like Rinaldo, Rosehill and Newbury the other team has to just shake their head.

Oh one other. I live less than an hour from Columbus and get to a half dozen Jacket games a year, I love Mason. The Jackets screwed him up so bad bvy reinventing the wheel every year with how they wanted him to play, I knew a change of scenery would do him good and think that his signing with the Flyers was a career saving move. I said so then and I still say that while he is not elite he is fairly close behind the top netminders in the game and simply needs left alone. The Flyers have handled him perfectly.

[Samifan]

Did guys like Downie, Vandervelde, Hall and Rosehill all really hold down semi regular spots in the lineup for portions of the year? That has to end. Finally, unpopular in here but Rinaldo is IMHO a waste of a roster spot. He is not Brad Marchand, he is a caricature of the type. I know he works hard and the fans love him but when you are throwing a fourth line out of guys like Rinaldo, Rosehill and Newbury the other team has to just shake their head.

 

@yave1964- sums it up pefectly. Preach!

[doom88]

"The Flyers have handled him perfectly"

I haven't heard that about a Flyers goalie in my entire life.

Solid writeup BTW. I enjoyed reading it. Thank you.

[pilldoc]

Posted Today, 09:09 AM

 

 

yave1964, on 03 May 2014 - 09:05 AM, said:

Did guys like Downie, Vandervelde, Hall and Rosehill all really hold down semi regular spots in the lineup for portions of the year? That has to end. Finally, unpopular in here but Rinaldo is IMHO a waste of a roster spot. He is not Brad Marchand, he is a caricature of the type. I know he works hard and the fans love him but when you are throwing a fourth line out of guys like Rinaldo, Rosehill and Newbury the other team has to just shake their head.

 

 

@yave1964- sums it up pefectly. Preach!

 

double agree!!!!

[pilldoc]

@pilldoc

Thanks Doc!

I have written one of these for each team as their season came to an end, this one made me nervous with so many Flyer fans in here. A few things about Flyer players as an outsider looking in.

I love Couturier, he is what, 21 years old? Most players his age are still in the AHL or college, he is established and showed spurts of offensive talent. Just enough to drive you nuts but no way no how would I even consider giving up on him now.

Brayden Schenn IMHO is a solid 3rd line center who hits and plays hard but is miscast as a top six forward out of need. I don't think he is the problem, the way they are being forced to use him is the problem.

Mark Streit is ripped on pretty hard in here but he really is not that bad. I know the contract keeps him around til the age of 40 and that I get as a point of derision, but overall he had a pretty decent year.

Matt Read is as good as he ever will be, a solid two way forward who scores around 20 goals a year. Hartnell is getting up in age. Essentially the two of them aren't going to get any better. The kids need to step up on the wing and give some relief to Simmonds and Voracek who are damn nice players but are overtaxed with what is expected of them because of lack of skill on the lower lines. Did guys like Downie, Vandervelde, Hall and Rosehill all really hold down semi regular spots in the lineup for portions of the year? That has to end.

Finally, unpopular in here but Rinaldo is IMHO a waste of a roster spot. He is not Brad Marchand, he is a caricature of the type. I know he works hard and the fans love him but when you are throwing a fourth line out of guys like Rinaldo, Rosehill and Newbury the other team has to just shake their head.

Oh one other. I live less than an hour from Columbus and get to a half dozen Jacket games a year, I love Mason. The Jackets screwed him up so bad bvy reinventing the wheel every year with how they wanted him to play, I knew a change of scenery would do him good and think that his signing with the Flyers was a career saving move. I said so then and I still say that while he is not elite he is fairly close behind the top netminders in the game and simply needs left alone. The Flyers have handled him perfectly.

 

Appreciate your unbiased opinion.  Nice to get a fresh perspective from other fans of differenct teams on how they view some of our players..  Sometimes we are too close to situation and we have a hard time putting down our homerism/ Flyers glasses

[doom88]

We don't need a fresh perspective

[OccamsRazor]

PRESEASON OUTLOOK

Cautious optimism. Hope was that a full season of Mason in net and free agent signings Lecavalier, Steit and Emery would be enough to get the club back on track and back into the playoffs.

FINAL RECORD

42-30-10 94 points 6th in East

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR

22 goal scorer Matt Read had 8 short handed points and only 2 PPP. Home cooking was very nice for Voracek and Giroux as they were a combined plus 30 but on the road they were a minus 12.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR

On March 22nd the Flyers beat Ryan Miller and the Blues 4-1 for their fifth win in a row giving them a record of 38-25-7 and they were peaking late in the year, a certainty for the playoffs, just a matter of playing for positioning. At that point their record in their past 55 games was a whopping 34-15-6.

LOW POINT OF THE SEASON

Easiest of any team. I was in a hotel room watching the nationally televised game against the Capitals on November 1st against the Capitals. They were destroyed 7-0 to fall to 3-9, Ray Emery came down the ice and beat the hell out of the Capitals goalie who stayed in the game for his shutout, Lecavalier was injured in a fight, newly reacquired Steve Downie in his first game back left in an ambulance and spent the night in the hospital after losing a fight and being concussed. This was the bottom. From there they had a gut check and turned the season around.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Claude Giroux (28-58-86) after a slow start turned it around and is a Hart trophy finalist as the league MVP. Jacub Voracek (23-39-62) continues to excel. Rugged Wayne Simmonds had 29 goals and 60 points and a solid 15 PPG. After a slow start Scott Hartnell (20-32-52) came on strong. Steve Mason was solid as could be in net. Mark Streit (10-34-44) was a good signing at least offensively from the blue line.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Vinnie Lecavalier managed 20 goals but did not earn his large contract. Steve Downie managed only 3 goals in 51 games and was out of sync. Ray Emery had some good games but made the fans nervous every time his name was in the lineup. Nicklas Grossman is slowing down to the point of being an orange pylon. Luke Schenn looked lost occasionally and offered zero offense.

MVP

Giroux easily though Mason was damn good.

UFAs

Kimmo Timonen

Steve Downie

Ray Emery

Adam Hall

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

Can Brayden Schenn (21-20-41) play the role of second line center? Is it worth resigning Kimmo Timonen or is he about done? Emery? Is Couturier only a solid defensive forward or were the occasional flashes a sign of offense to come? With several kids looking to break into the lineup next season should they consider trading a solid forward for defensive help?

 

 

Trade everyone build around Vinny as the #1 center!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ok bad joke please don't have me committed!!!!!!!!! Good read.

[Mad Dog]

@yave1964

 

Thanks for the nice analysis, Yave.  For a non-Flyer fan who looks through a different prism, it's pretty good.

 

One hting I will say, unlike the Flyers of the previous years, this team actually did NOT underachieve.  They finished the year almost exactly where many of us thought they would finish: squeeze into the playoffs and probably lose in the first round.

 

So as painful as it is to not be rooting for your team this early in the playoffs, there is at least no agony in being heartbroken, like we have been so many times in the past.  So I am OK with how this season went.  My concern is more with what the future holds, and I have to say, I don't really see this team improving too much the next year over this-year team.  One definite positive is Mason is for real.  Finally, it looks like the Flyers' search for the #1 legit goaltender is over. 

 

And that is the only real positive I see.  The defense has been abysmal last year, and it still is. Neither Coburn or McDonald qualify as a #1 defensive pair.  And that's just one problem. Looking through the rest of the defensive corps, this defense is just really not that good.  They are lacking speed and agility.  I think anything short of getting two quality defensemen will not solve the problem.

 

I am also somewhat disppointed with our young guns.  This was supposed to be a year for us to gauge how good they are.  Couturier has still struggled.  For someone who was picked that high, I think the Flyers fans have every right to exect more - MUCH more.  And I am concerned that what we have seen may be his ceiling: a decent defensive forward with below-average skating skills and lack of speed.  At best, I can see him possibly turning into Rob Brind'Amour, which woudl actually be very good.  But I am afraid he won't come close to that level.  We'll see.

 

I really don't know what to expect out of B Schenn.  He seems to have tools to be very good, but he didn't set the world on fire in the regualr season and was barely visible in the playoffs.

 

I do like Reed.  I think he is a very good two-way forward, but he needs playing time and a prominent role to succeed. 

 

I imagine Holmgren will make some big moves.  I think it's given that Timonen will retire.  So his money will allow to add some talent...I hope at least.  BuI am very reserved about the future of this team.  It's going to be an interesting off-season.

Edited May 3, 2014 by Mad Dog

[radoran]

unlike the Flyers of the previous years, this team actually did NOT underachieve.  They finished the year almost exactly where many of us thought they would finish: squeeze into the playoffs and probably lose in the first round.
 
So as painful as it is to not be rooting for your team this early in the playoffs, there is at least no agony in being heartbroken, like we have been so many times in the past.  So I am OK with how this season went.

 

This is perfect.

 

But there is reporting that the Flyers want Timonen back and he's sounding interested.

 

And I honestly don't expect any Earth-shattering moves - if only because they would be very difficult to pull off given the contract situation.

 

At this point Schenn's value has never been more average. The Flyers really need to decide what they want to do with them. I could see him as, say, a second line center in Buffalo behind Hodgson for a couple of the multitude of picks Buffalo has in this draft, for example.

 

But they lost a 7-game series 2-1 in a situation where their #1 goalie wasn't available for Games 1-3. I really think we're going to have the season they should have had with Carle and Jagr - re-load the same gun and take better aim.

 

But if we don't see a good start and the team that was between November and March for the better part of the year leading up to the deadline, I could see Homer making some serious moves at that point.

[Mad Dog]

This is perfect.

 

But there is reporting that the Flyers want Timonen back and he's sounding interested.

 

And I honestly don't expect any Earth-shattering moves - if only because they would be very difficult to pull off given the contract situation.

 

At this point Schenn's value has never been more average. The Flyers really need to decide what they want to do with them. I could see him as, say, a second line center in Buffalo behind Hodgson for a couple of the multitude of picks Buffalo has in this draft, for example.

 

But they lost a 7-game series 2-1 in a situation where their #1 goalie wasn't available for Games 1-3. I really think we're going to have the season they should have had with Carle and Jagr - re-load the same gun and take better aim.

 

But if we don't see a good start and the team that was between November and March for the better part of the year leading up to the deadline, I could see Homer making some serious moves at that point.

 

The rumors about Timonen are disappointing, but knowing the Flyers, not really that surprising.

 

I guess I am less optimistic than you if they just "reload" and try it all over again.  Does this defense give you much of optimism? 

 

THe decision about Schenn is a tough one.  But honestly, I don't think they are going to do anything with him, which is fine.  After the next year, we will know more or less what his value is and what it's going to be.  He is still very young.

 

I am actually more concerned about Couturier.  I am concerned that the Flyers drafted an average 3-rd liner with poor skating skills and terrible speed.  I am not going to bury the kid just yet.  But I really think he is what he is at this point.  I sure hope to be wrong.

[Howie58]

@yave1964

 

Fair assessement. (my comments in RED)

 

PRESEASON OUTLOOK

Cautious optimism. Hope was that a full season of Mason in net and free agent signings Lecavalier, Steit and Emery would be enough to get the club back on track and back into the playoffs.

 

Many on here did not think they would even make the playoffs with so many question marks including myself.  I disagreed with the signing of LVC the day that it occured and my feelings have not changed.  As I have stated numerous times, I don't hate LVC. I hate the contract and he was the wrong person for this team.

 

Mason was an enigma - I was cautiously optimistic.

Streit proved me wrong.  Still don't like the 35+ contract but did better than I expected.

FINAL RECORD

42-30-10 94 points 6th in East

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR

22 goal scorer Matt Read had 8 short handed points and only 2 PPP. Home cooking was very nice for Voracek and Giroux as they were a combined plus 30 but on the road they were a minus 12.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR

On March 22nd the Flyers beat Ryan Miller and the Blues 4-1 for their fifth win in a row giving them a record of 38-25-7 and they were peaking late in the year, a certainty for the playoffs, just a matter of playing for positioning. At that point their record in their past 55 games was a whopping 34-15-6.

 

I think the games immediately prior to the Olympics and the games immediately post Olympics showed what this team was capable of.  It was fun for a few games. 

LOW POINT OF THE SEASON

Easiest of any team. I was in a hotel room watching the nationally televised game against the Capitals on November 1st against the Capitals. They were destroyed 7-0 to fall to 3-9, Ray Emery came down the ice and beat the hell out of the Capitals goalie who stayed in the game for his shutout, Lecavalier was injured in a fight, newly reacquired Steve Downie in his first game back left in an ambulance and spent the night in the hospital after losing a fight and being concussed. This was the bottom. From there they had a gut check and turned the season around.

 

Where to I begin?

1. As I mentioned in my other post - you CANNOT start the season 4-10-1 and get your coach fired.

2. Giroux starting out the way he did.

3. Agree that Caps game and many of us on here infuriated. 

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Claude Giroux (28-58-86) after a slow start turned it around and is a Hart trophy finalist as the league MVP. Jacub Voracek (23-39-62) continues to excel. Rugged Wayne Simmonds had 29 goals and 60 points and a solid 15 PPG. After a slow start Scott Hartnell (20-32-52) came on strong. Steve Mason was solid as could be in net. Mark Streit (10-34-44) was a good signing at least offensively from the blue line.

 

Can't argue much here.  Giroux did finially rebound and we finally found a net minder in Mason. Are Raffl and Akeson diamonds in the rough? Ghost was signed to an ELC.  Future looks bright in the future for the blue-line.  The players seem to buy into Berube.  Better coach than what most of us first thought.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Vinnie Lecavalier managed 20 goals but did not earn his large contract. Steve Downie managed only 3 goals in 51 games and was out of sync. Ray Emery had some good games but made the fans nervous every time his name was in the lineup. Nicklas Grossman is slowing down to the point of being an orange pylon. Luke Schenn looked lost occasionally and offered zero offense.

 

Again, can't argue much here.  Might add the massive amout penalties and turnovers this team collectively committed.  At times, this team simply forgets how to skate.  Oh and may I add such a pi$$$ poor performance to start the season that it earned Lavy his walking papers.

MVP

Giroux easily though Mason was damn good.

 

Agreed

UFAs

Kimmo Timonen - love the guy but his time is done

Steve Downie - bye - don't let the door hit you in the a$$$

Ray Emery - resign? both Heeter and Stolarz are the cheaper options but is it the better option?

Adam Hall - nice knowing you

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

Can Brayden Schenn (21-20-41) play the role of second line center? Is it worth resigning Kimmo Timonen or is he about done? Emery? Is Couturier only a solid defensive forward or were the occasional flashes a sign of offense to come? With several kids looking to break into the lineup next season should they consider trading a solid forward for defensive help?

 

1. Can you try to move LVC? He jsut does not fit here. 
2. How does Laughton fit into the picture?
3. The Kimmo question. - He comes back ONLY for a very very cheep rate and there are no other options available.
4. Can Ghost make the line or does he need a year of seasoning in the AHL?
5. Agree - who is the backup?  Resign or let Heeter / Stolarz fight it out?
6. B. Schenn / L. Schenn - who stays who goes? I know B. Schenn is still young, but how much longer will the Flyers wait to see if he elavates his game even more?  L.Schenn - just does not skate as hard as he needs to be doing.
7. Acquire an UFA LW Sniper to play with Giroux - maybe Vanek?
8. Acquire an UFA D-man? But who?  Try to pry Niskanen away from the Pens?

Great Job Yave! Thanks for posting!

Greetings:

 

My hat is off to both of you for an excellent post and friendly amendments.

 

I might add:

 

1) Information on concussions with Mason is scary and makes me wonder about his longevity?

2) Concur that backup question becomes even more critical.

3) I wonder about the DNA question: Does this team's recruiting and trading revolve around mucker-grinders rather than high-skill/speed players?

 

Peace,

 

Howie