sarsippius

@Poulin20 20th Glad you brought that one up, I was watching from my second home in Section 28 that day. Stunning comeback, I think the boys were actually down 4-1 with only 9 minutes left. When OT started the Caps looked completely deflated, Flyers had all the jump and wham it was over in the blink of an eye. But of course that all led to Dale f***ing Hunter scoring on Hexy on a breakaway in OT of game 7 at the Crap Center, which was one of the most gut wrenching moments as a fan for me....and probably for most of us who are old enough to remember, but that would be a different thread entirely

@jammer2 That's an awesome story, what a great memory to have tied to a historic moment. Great to have some brothers helpin' you out!

And with the poll question changing the topic slightly, I still believe Clarkie and Dorny scored the 2 most important OT goals in team history...but I was 5 in 1973 and 6 when Clarke shocked Boston, so I don't really remember them from the time. So my favorite vote goes to Primeau, which I will always remember vividly

I'm with you on the thought though, JJ was my favorite Flyer goal ever, I literally get a lump in my throat every time I watch it. And Propp tying it up on the PP a minute or so earlier is #2

Have to go Flyers - Rags because...well honestly I didn't watch as much of the other 2

@rayray11299 Philly pride, I like it! Welcome to the board

I remember putting a pot of coffee on after the third OT! You're right, Primeau somehow finding the strength to make that inside out move and fire it home was just amazing, 1:45 in the morning and I've got a buddy calling me a we're screaming our heads off. Incredible moment. As the OTs wore on, you just knew the lose of that wouldn't have the legs to win the series.

Honorable mention to Kevin Haller (?) against the Rags in 95 playoffs Edit: This one: http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?19950055 Games 1 and 2 of that series were both OT wins, I always mix up which was Desjardins and which was Haller. I was referring Game 2 that put the Flyboys up 2-0 against the defending Cup champs (yeccch), after 5 straight years out of the playoffs, to that me that was the biggest goal since JJ

Only change I would make is moving Dorny's up to #2. That was the goal that legitimized Flyer hockey and @jammer2 said gave them confidence and experience carrying over into the first Cup year

Now thats the words of a brother feeling my pain! I remember leaving the building after that double OT loss, my dad saying something about what day the next series would start....I shook my head and said "I think you just saw the last game at the Spectrum". ****

These Lighthouse Hockey cats come up with some funny stuff.... http://www.lighthousehockey.com/lhh-zeitgeist Days after adding a stats-focused junior hockey general manager to their upper management team, the Toronto Maple Leafs are making another leap into analytics by firing their entire scouting staff and leaving the job up to a massive computer. The computer, officially titled the Statistical Intelligence Transaction Terminal for Leafs Enhancement and Reexamination (codename: S.I.T.T.L.E.R), will gather advanced data on professional, amateur, senior and off-the-grid hockey players from over 100 countries across the world, analyze it in milliseconds and determine which players the Leafs should pursue acquiring. To make room for S.I.T.T.L.E.R, the Leafs let go of their 24 full-time scouts and set up the high-tech machine in the office formerly used by fired assistant GMs Dave Poulin and Claude Loiselle. "This operating system will finally and absolutely eliminate the need for anyone to watch a live hockey game or a talk to a player ever again." - Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas on the S.I.T.T.L.E.R scouting computer "Welcome to the future of the NHL," said Kyle Dubas, S.I.T.T.L.E.R's architect and the Leafs' new 28 year-old assistant general manager. "Tracking stats like Corsi, Fenwick and zone entries by hand, entering them into spreadsheets and looking at the results was just the beginning. With S.I.T.T.L.E.R, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have instantaneous access to perfect data that we will use to make all of our player acquisitions. "This operating system will finally and absolutely eliminate the need for anyone to watch a live hockey game or a talk to a player ever again. It's everything the hockey analytics community has ever dreamed of." Dubas would not divulge where S.I.T.T.L.E.R will get its data from or what would be tracked, but he did confirm that no humans would be present in its collection, opening the possibility for remote cameras, listening devices and drones to be used by the Leafs in the next few years. Upgrade Available for Download With the hiring of Dubas, who had received kudos for his statistics-based approach while with the OHL's Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, and the installation of S.I.T.T.L.E.R, the Maple Leafs have completely transformed from one of the NHL's most traditional teams to one of its most progressive, practically overnight. Just months ago, the Leafs were still predictable in their perpetual pursuit of an ideal hockey player archetype - big, tough, gritty skaters who fight, hit and score goals, and who preferably hail from suburbs and towns in and around the Greater Toronto Area. This is the thinking that lead them to acquire players such as oft-injured center Dave Bolland (since let go as a free agent) and forward David Clarkson, whose 7-year, $36.75 million contract doesn't come close to matching his meager output in his first year as a Leaf: five goals and 11 points. Toronto missed the playoffs last season, and have only qualified once in the past nine years. But thanks to S.I.T.T.L.E.R and Dubas, those days are over. "Toronto is the perfect team for this initiative," Dubas said. "We have the resources, the money and the popularity to make this kind of bold statement. I have no doubt that once the Leafs rely only on a set of cold, scientific, arithmetical data points to choose their players, the fans will embrace this new approach religiously. "It's only a matter of time before the fans stop watching the games and start reading S.I.T.T.L.E.R's spreadsheets." The tide may already be turning, as several of the staunchest opponents to hockey's recent wave of analytics use - and, ironically, two of Toronto's loudest media voices - have already accepted S.I.T.T.L.E.R as part of the Maple Leafs' family. "If people paint this move as analytics only, they are inaccurate," said Toronto Sun sports columnist Steve Simmons in a tweet shortly after the announcement. "S.I.T.T.L.E.R was installed because it is a keen hockey computer and stats machine: A rare double." Simmons later added that he heard S.I.T.T.L.E.R is a real "rink rat" and craves the spotlight of Toronto. "I don't know about all these computer and internets and junk, but they showed me that S.I.T.T.L.E.R. thing and it's a real beauty," said commentator Don Cherry of Hockey Night in Canada. "And they tell me it was built right here in Ontario! That tells me right there that this machine is good and everything like that. So I says 'let's go.'" ___ This is satire. It is not real. The Leafs have not fired their scouts and may or may not have any actual computers in their offices right now.

Oh man don't get me started.....trying to acquire Time-Warner right? That's just what the world needs....

I've said it before, but I really hate that a monopolistic customer-****ing media company with intentions on controlling all public airwaves and general world domination owns the Flyers.

@Poulin20 How ridiculously awesome would that be to have Hexy AND Poulin in charge of the shop!

Agreed, I'm too cynical to believe this is anything but PR.

Sports gambling is a horrible crime in Rochester...but if you're in Vegas, then its a family event. Oh the hypocrisy.

Well, I've never seen a glass that was half-full, so there you have it!

@WingNut722 I hope this does have a "spillover" effect on the surrounding area and help create a destination spot. I've never been to Detroit so I only know what I read, but from the sounds of it times are about as tough as they can get. Largest municipal bankruptcy in US history, the disappearance of the manufacturing sector and its jobs, flight to the suburbs eroding the property tax base... I'll admit I am not a fan of taxpayer funding for sports palaces, but it is the norm, it just never seems to give the return on investment that is promised. It's just a different form of corporate welfare like the tax credits and property tax abatements the big boys all get for putting up a plant or corporate headquarters. I'm not attacking this project, just speaking in general terms.I wasn't a fan of the Phils and Eagles raiding the taxpayers either. Here's hoping this a positive step for Detroit

I didn't know much about him before reading this article then doing a little web surfing, I'll be rooting for him....except for 2 games that is

The only kids with even a remote chance of seeing time with the big club are Gostisbehere (3 years of college pucks) or to a much lesser extent Haag (younger but been playing in Sweden against men), but i'd put that chance at about a half a percent. I've not actually seen either of them play, but I just can't imagine Hexy would bring either of them up without a solid season in the A. As far as what we're apparently going to battle with, there's not a first pairing caliber player in the bunch. I mean Kimmo is almost as old as me, I was actually glad he decided to come back for one more year, but he was just worn down by March this year. Still makes good decisions won't generally hurt you and good puck mover, but he's lost more than a stride. Coburn.....how can a guy that big who plays defense NOT take the body more??? That's the top D pairing, clearly a 3/4. Streit was brought in to qb the pp last year, and I suppose he was slightly better than adequate. The rest of it is just a train wreck. Schenn, just awful, nothing even remotely positive comes to mind, if someone can tell me what his redeeming qualities are I'd love to hear it. If someone is expecting him to be a shutdown guy it sure as hell isn't me. Worst defensive performer last year by a mile, playing on the third D pair to boot so he's not seeing seeing the opponents top line for the most part. Grossman? Pylon. MacDonald, blocks a lot of shots and that's great, but he's not a strong skater either and Homer gave him 30 mil for 6 YEARS after what, a 15 game audition!!! I mean seriously if you wanted to sign him up I could have stomached a 3 year deal between 2.5-2.75 per, but that deal defies logic.

Red Wings reveal plans, renderings for new arena to open by 2017 By Chris Peters / Hockey Writer July 20, 2014 01:20 PM ET The Detroit Red Wings could be playing in a new arena by 2017 if all goes according to plan. Olympia Development of Michigan, a subsidiary of Red Wings’ owner Mike Ilitch's Ilitch Holdings, Inc., unveiled their plans for a new sports and entertainment district, combined with existing and new developments to create five new mixed-use neighborhoods in downtown Detroit. The centerpiece of this district would be the new home of the Red Wings. “It’s always been my dream to see a vibrant and energized downtown Detroit,” said Ilitch in the announcement. “I want people to look at Detroit’s new sports and entertainment district and see what I see: the potential for something very special. I couldn’t be more excited and proud to bring this vision to life.” The plans set forth are ambitious and are said to include a private investment by Ilitch Holdings of more than $200 million. The project is expected to cost $650 million in total, with the difference made up by public funds which has been a source of controversy. Last July, the Michigan Strategic Fund board, which is part of the state's economic development agency, approved up to $450 million in state-issued bonds to help finance the project that would include the new Red Wings’ arena. Considering the severe economic woes of Detroit and the state of Michigan as a whole and the Ilitches personal riches, there's reason for the uneasiness. No money is coming out of Detroit's general fund, but tax payers are going to help foot the bill. According to the company, its private investment, which has been accelerated to get things started sooner than later, will also include helping build up public infrastructure and make improvements for things like lighting, sidewalks and streets. “We’ve done business in Detroit for nearly 50 years, and this is our most significant and ambitious project here yet,” said Christopher Ilitch, Mike's son and president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “By accelerating our investments in important neighborhood infrastructure and new mixed-use development, we will stabilize and develop dozens of underutilized blocks, create more jobs more quickly and allow the city to spend public funds on other priorities." When it comes to the Red Wings organization, the benefits of this project are numerous. The Red Wings have played in the increasingly outdated Joe Louis Arena since 1979, but claimed the league's second-best attendance in 2013-14. Edit: This has to be a tough sell to taxpayers

Even a broken clock is right twice a day,eh?

@flyercanuck Not sure it could have been said any more succinctly. A bunch of 3 to 5s mostly getting paid like 1 to 3s. The kids in the pipeline give hope that 2 or 3 this will begin to turn around, until then we're waiting for contracts to run out.

Slow hockey month, nice story: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/07/16/st-louis-blues-jaden-schwartz-changes-jersey-number-to-honour-sister-who-died/ St. Louis Blues’ Jaden Schwartz changes jersey number to honour sister who died Adrian Humphreys | July 16, 2014 | Last Updated: Jul 17 9:24 AM ETThere was a time when emerging National Hockey League star Jaden Schwartz and his older sister Mandi wore No. 17 on their jerseys, but as the two hockey-mad Saskatchewan kids grew up, the number became synonymous with her aggressive game on Yale University’s women’s team. When she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2008, Mr. Schwartz was wearing No. 8 in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and as she battled cancer, she cheered her younger brother on as he donned Team Canada’s No. 8 jersey for the 2011 world junior championship. It was during that tournament their father, Rick, received a galvanizing text message from his daughter, signalling her fight was drawing to a close: “Doctors say there is nothing more they can do,” it read. Mandi Schwartz died, aged 23, on April 3 2011. Less than a year later, Mr. Schwartz captained Team Canada for the 2012 world juniors, again wearing No. 8 on his red and white jersey, but he never stopped thinking about his sister, a woman he says is his on-ice and in-life inspiration. Last week, he finally found a way to remember and honour her, an appropriate tribute from one hockey player to another: He switched his jersey number with the St. Louis Blues to No. 17. “With what went on and with what she went through and what she meant to me, this seemed the right thing to do,” Mr. Schwartz, 22, said. “It’s not something I talk about a whole lot. It’s kind of a hard to talk about. But I think everyone knows how much she meant to me. “It’s all for Mandi. I did it because of her. It’s for her because of how much I learned from her. I think of her every day. She’s still an inspiration to me every day.” When Mr. Schwartz joined the NHL, picked 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 entry draft, he had secretly eyed No. 17 but it was already being worn by Czech centre Vladimír Sobotka. “No. 17 was already taken. I only had a few options; I took No. 9,” he said as the closest available to 17 or 8. He never mentioned the possibility of a change while Mr. Sobotka was playing. “I was the young guy coming in and he was the veteran,” Mr. Schwartz said. I didn’t want to start asking for things. I just minded my own business and hoped that one day I’d get my chance.” The chance came last week when Mr. Sobotka signed for a Russian team in the Kontinental Hockey League. “Not a lot of guys switch numbers when they’re still on the same team,” said Mr. Schwartz. “But I didn’t think twice about it … I mentioned it to my parents and they were happy and excited about it. Mandi means a lot to all of us.” Ms. Schwartz was the oldest of Rick and Carol Schwartz’s three children and the first to plunge into hockey. She and Rylan were born in Kamsack, Sask, near the Manitoba border; Jaden, the youngest, was born in Melfort, 280 kilometres north of Regina. “My brother and sister were big into hockey. I grew up watching them. That’s how I got into it,” Mr. Schwartz said. “Mandi was the oldest, so her hockey was more serious. I learned a lot from her,” he said. “I spent a lot of time watching her play.” The family moved to Wilcox, Sask., so all three could attend Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a school renowned for its hockey program. “All three of us … ended up getting hockey scholarships to U.S. schools,” said Mr. Schwartz. While the boys attended Colorado College, Ms. Schwartz went to Yale She grew to be a strong hockey forward, hailed as a leader for three seasons, until sapped by illness. As she fought leukemia, her friends and teammates started a push in 2009 to find a bone marrow donor, a search that went worldwide. Although it was unsuccessful for Ms. Schwartz, matches for several others were found. A bone marrow donor drive in her memory takes place at Yale every year since. Mr. Schwartz announced the change in his number on Twitter. “Sorry to the fans with #9 apparel but when I’m back in uniform I’ll be looking a little different this year,” he tweeted Friday. He included a photo of himself and his parents standing by his sister’s stall in the Yale dressing room — where her Yale Bulldogs No. 17 jersey still hangs. Fan reaction has generally been positive, although a few were unhappy, seemingly spurred by disappointment at seeing Mr. Sobotka leave. “Losing Sobi is a big loss,” said Mr. Schwartz. “But everyone supports my decision.” Last season was a good one for Mr. Schwartz, with 25 goals and 31 assists. Come October, he hopes to play to new heights in a new jersey. “When I first put it on it will be pretty special. It’ll also be a little hard. I’ll take a moment to think.”

I'll say yes, but we're talking finishing 7/8 and fighting it out through the last games of the season. This is only an average team, as it was last year, witness the #13 overall finish. Hexy will be looking to improve the long range outlook at the trade deadline either way, it'll just be a matter of how deep he'll be willing cut bait with veterans based on what the standings look like.