Dynamo 47

True and the Flyers have no one to blame but themselves. Winning all those meaningless games at the end of the year was stupid. Whether they won them or not they were not making the playoffs and would rather miss the playoffs and draft 4th or 5th versus 11 or 12.

Only when the Pens are in it and the prize is Crosby lol I had to go there

And no more was it evident than in the 2007 draft. The Hawks were slated for the 5th overall pick and finished ahead of us in the lottery. They take can and we got JVR.

I agree with everything you said. I would just amnesty Briere and move forward and build around the youth we have. There are not many teams that can boast of having young guys the caliber of Giroux, Jake, Simmonds, Schenn and Couterier.

No more fun with the Toronto Maple Leaf playoff jersey - a golf shirt

Mine too and as much as I would love to see Winnipeg back in the playoffs I am rooting for the Rangers to finish 8th and take out the Pens in the first round.

I posted this in the Bruins forum but I was really impressed with the showing at the Bruins Sabres game last night. If anyone missed it they missed a great game and great crowd. I wanted to first wish my condolences to all Bruins fans and their families impacted by the cowardly bombings at the Boston Marathon. Last night was a fantastic testament to a city, its residents, and hockey fans alike. The fans singing the National Anthem was fantastic and something I will remember for a long time. The crowd recognizing the first responders, those who participated in the marathon and the ovations were incredible. Finally, props to both the Sabres and Bruins. They showed why hockey and hockey fans are the greatest in all sports. The two teams saluted the crowd in unison at Center Ice then proceeded to try and kill each other for 60 minutes plus overtime before a shootout ended the game. Last night showed how truly great a city Boston is and the great fans in Boston. I will remember that for a long time. I taped the game for my 11 year old son to watch as an example of the great sport of hockey, the strength and perseverance of its fans. Last night Boston showed the world they are Boston Strong!

Based on? They were dreadful and the year Crosby was coming out they did not exacly go out and bust a gut to win games near the end of the season. Whether you are a Pens fan or not, the reason they are successful now is because they were drafting top 5 for 5 straight years and were able to get impact players. 2002 - 5th Overall - Ryan Whitney 2003 - 1st Overall - Marc Andre Fluery 2004 - 2nd Overall - Malkin 2005 - 1st Overall - Crosby 2006 - 2nd Overall - Staal Those same years the Flyers picks were as follows. Now granted some were as a result of bad trades of picks, or missed picks but when you are drafting top 5 five years in a row you should have impact players 2002 - 4th Overall - Joni Pitkanen 2003 - 11th Overall - Jeff Carter (and also drafted Richards later in the 1st) 2004 - Didnt have a pick until the 3rd round 2005 - 29th overall - Steve Downie 2006 - 22nd Overall - Claude Giroux So you see why it helps the Flyers to lose this year and miss the playoffs? There is a significant advantage to drafting top 5 versus middle to late first round; especially in an NHL with salary caps.

I think that given the state of the Florida franchise they really can't be choosey and have to take the best player available which is Jones. He will step right in and play next year and be able to make an immediate contribution. I think they listen to offers from other teams but doubt they will make a move.

I wanted to first wish my condolences to all Bruins fans and their families impacted by the cowardly bombings at the Boston Marathon. Last night was a fantastic testament to a city, its residents, and hockey fans alike. The fans singing the National Anthem was fantastic and something I will remember for a long time. The crowd recognizing the first responders, those who participated in the marathon and the ovations were incredible. Finally, props to both the Sabres and Bruins. They showed why hockey and hockey fans are the greatest in all sports. The two teams saluted the crowd in unison at Center Ice then proceeded to try and kill each other for 60 minutes plus overtime before a shootout ended the game. Last night showed how truly great a city Boston is and the great fans in Boston. I will remember that for a long time. I taped the game for my 11 year old son to watch as an example of the great sport of hockey, the strength and perseverance of its fans. Last night Boston showed the world they are Boston Strong!

After giving it more thought I would prefer Risto over Zadorov as well. We have a lot of big bodies who can check on defense now but we are lacking someone who can skate, join the rush, and make outlet passes.

I was always hopefuly that the Oliver would become the Big O and he looked really good last night. He finished his checks, was physical, cleared the porch and looked very good. Granted the one Ranger goal was due in part to his screen but he can learn. I always though that given his size and physical play that Pronger could really work with him on positioning and his angles, etc.

I agree with you flycan. I was watching with my girlfriend last night and telling her we need to lose. Winning accomplishes nothing at this point and we need to lose to improve our draft positioning. She said why would a team lose on purpose? I said look at the Penguins. They completely tanked for a couple years running and were able to draft Crosby, Staal, Fluery, Malkin. That's why losing isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I agree. I think a change of scenery is what he needed to recapture some of the rookie magic. Worst case if he gives who the same stats as Bryz (with the added dimension of puck handling). Granted it has only been a few games but given the needs in other areas and the cap hit we can save I let Bryz walk and make Mason my number one.

So do I. I think he has the potential to be a top two guy for a long time. He is a good skater and will grow into his body. He has good offensive instincts and loves to hit and get involved. It's been a LONG time since the organization drafted a defenseman who could be the total package (and NOT including Joni in that statement) and I hope we don't screw it up this time.

I am of a similar mindset. I dont want to take a defenseman higher than he is rated unless the team is totally in love with him. I know the Couts pick was kind of a catch 22 as no one expected him to fall to 8 but damn I really was hoping Hamilton was the guy.

Thanks for the link. There were definitely some shifts from other lists that I've seen. To me short of Jones, I target Nurse or Zadorov. We need defense and Nurse is big, plays big, can skate and has an excellent offensive upside. Zadorov is more a physical stay at home guy but I want either of them and both should be available at 5. I DON'T want the team to make the same "mistake" they made taking Couterier when Dougie Hamilton fell into our laps. We need defense and defense we should take first. I just shudder to think that Homer will take Monohan to join ranks of the young forwards we have and defense not be addressed.

Honestly I do no want to the Flyers to go for a forward again this draft. I want either Jones, Nurse or Nikita Zadorov. What do you think of Zadorov? He already has NHL size and has a mean streak and is a good hitter. If we lose out on Nurse or Jones would you take him for need over another forward?

I admit he is struggling but the potential is there. I honestly think that we might not have won that first round playoff series with the Pens were it not for his defensive work on Malkin; he was that good defensively. He is not going to be another Lindros and perhaps not even another Primeau but I think he can develop into a shutdown center who with strength and additional weight can have a Joel Ottot type career and that would not be a bad thing in my book.

I don't think a supermodel in any photo with Coburn could make him look good.

I kind of agree but threw that out there to see what others thought. Nurse is the guy I want considering where we will likely finish. Love Couts but still thinking we should have taken Hamilton. I just hope history doesnt repeat itself and we bypass Nurse for Monohan or something and the Devils take Nurse and he become a Scott Stevens type PITA for the next 10 years.

I would be curious how many Flyer fans would be willing to trade Couts and the 3 for the number one overall to draft Jones. Jones to me has Norris potential written all over him and 10+ career as a Flyer. On the other hand we could stand pat and draft Nurse (who I also really like) but at 3 is a reach. So what would you do? There are no guarantees in the draft. Do you go for the best player available in Jones and do what it takes to get him? Or do you play it safe and take the best defenseman available at 3, 4, or 5 depending on where we finish.

I didnt have my glasses on and thought it said Hartnell signs with Pens. I thought it was too good to be true!

Not surprised as with the playoff push on now for most teams I love sitting back and watching a rivalry game like the Bruins - Habs game with an ice cold Labatt's Blue during the week

If the space cadet truly fell asleep during a meeting I would sit his ass on the bench the remainder of the season. Tell Mason he is the man the rest of the way and it will be his chance to prove himself worthy of being the number one going into next season.