Mark Streit

[flyercanuck]

I've been bashing this guy since he signed that contract. And I realize if Holmgren was stupid enough to offer that to me I'd take it too. And I'm sure he's been whistling his way to the bank, not crying over somebodys remarks on the internet.

 

 But I can also admit when the guy does good. And last night I thought he was great. He played a solid defensive game, including a great one on one play with Ovechkin. He made several nice passes...really nice. And that one timer from the point was unstoppable by any goalie...that thing was a laser with eyes. Maybe like a lot of others he just needs everyone to show up to motivate himself.

 

 Still hate that contract though.

[brelic]

He's shooting more, I think. At least it seems that way. It's easier to be positive about a player when they're producing

[ruxpin]

Sit  him down and bring up McGinn.

[DaGreatGazoo]

Sit  him down and bring up McGinn.

 

Hee hee hee.....

[OccamsRazor]

And last night I thought he was great.

 

I totally agree his best game in Orange and Black by far even though i have seen roughly only half the games this season last night is what we want to see.

 

I have been waiting to see he offense pick up and it did but the more unexpected part was he was solid on defense....the shocker he was actually physical for a change but i took note of it. All he has to do is bring that game every night and he'll be fine. More of that from last night please.

[radoran]

He's shooting more, I think. At least it seems that way. It's easier to be positive about a player when they're producing

 

He is definitely more of a shooter and has a nice shot to go with it. Flyers need all the shooters they can get as they often seem to think they're in an NFL West Coast Offense.

 

Could be his comfort level is improving - and the team in general. Hope to see more and continued improvement.

[murraycraven]

I thought he was great last night and that is what I have been waiting for all season.  There are very few of us on this board that actually did not mind the Streit signing (me, Jack and someone else).   Hopefully it is the start of something good here and he needed time to adjust in a new system.   He can rifle the puck and we need him shooting more from the point.  

 

I thought Coburn played a very good game too...

[radoran]

There are very few of us on this board that actually did not mind the Streit signing (me, Jack and someone else). 

 

Careful, now - wouldn't want you to strain yourself patting your shoulder like that

 

There were many people who liked the signing short-term, but had concerns about Y3 & 4 and also about the 35+ nature of the deal. The Pronger deal looked pretty solid for a year and a half. His contract ends when Streit's does...

 

I think if you go through the "Streit" thread you've seen the width and breadth of the discussion.

[fanaticV3.0]

I've been bashing this guy since he signed that contract. And I realize if Holmgren was stupid enough to offer that to me I'd take it too. And I'm sure he's been whistling his way to the bank, not crying over somebodys remarks on the internet.

 

 But I can also admit when the guy does good. And last night I thought he was great. He played a solid defensive game, including a great one on one play with Ovechkin. He made several nice passes...really nice. And that one timer from the point was unstoppable by any goalie...that thing was a laser with eyes. Maybe like a lot of others he just needs everyone to show up to motivate himself.

 

 Still hate that contract though.

 

I am hopeful that scouts were watching last night, because he is much more appealing to a team looking for an offensive specialist, than a .500 team where his impact isn't really going to put them over the top.

[The Quigster]

Any reason Lauridsen isn't getting an opportunity to play?

[OccamsRazor]

I am hopeful that scouts were watching last night, because he is much more appealing to a team looking for an offensive specialist, than a .500 team where his impact isn't really going to put them over the top.

Nope the Flyers need him more for what he displayed last night...he is almost the only production this season from the blueline so why would they move him???

Besides there are other not earning their keep to deal with, no sense in thinking of moving him not while he may be finally coming around. Besides noone is going to want that contract, but the olny problem I have with it is the length, however if he continues to produce he is the least of their worries.

[OccamsRazor]

Any reason Lauridsen isn't getting an opportunity to play?

No room Mezz and Gill have been healthy scratches so no room for him really Ollie is where he needs to be in the Arefining his game no need to force into the lineup till really needed...still a long season ahead wait till there is a need for him which won't come till a rash of injuries or mezz is traded

[fanaticV3.0]

Nope the Flyers need him more for what he displayed last night...he is almost the only production this season from the blueline so why would they move him???

Besides there are other not earning their keep to deal with, no sense in thinking of moving him not while he may be finally coming around. Besides noone is going to want that contract, but the olny problem I have with it is the length, however if he continues to produce he is the least of their worries.

 

The Flyers aren't good enough to make a run, so he serves almost no purpose on the team. Even if they do make the POs, they're not going anywhere unless they get a top-line winger and impact defenseman. Streit would have more value to a team that is already a contender, but needs some help (offensively, cause he sure ain't helping in his own end) on the blue line.

 

He's not going to come around man. That's not to say he can't and won't play better. He already did that last night. But he's never going to "return to form". He's pretty much done. It was a bad signing. If some team wants him, I'd take nothing just to get him off the roster.

[delcofan]

There are very few of us on this board that actually did not mind the Streit signing (me, Jack and someone else).  

 

I didn't mind it.  So if I'm not the "someone else" there's 4 people who didn't mind it.

[OccamsRazor]

The Flyers aren't good enough to make a run, so he serves almost no purpose on the team. Even if they do make the POs, they're not going anywhere unless they get a top-line winger and impact defenseman. Streit would have more value to a team that is already a contender, but needs some help (offensively, cause he sure ain't helping in his own end) on the blue line.

 

He's not going to come around man. That's not to say he can't and won't play better. He already did that last night. But he's never going to "return to form". He's pretty much done. It was a bad signing. If some team wants him, I'd take nothing just to get him off the roster.

Well it's safe to say well disagree...completely...I think they have everything they need somewhere in the organization all they need to is repeat the effort from last night. You sid they won't....I say they will. Time will reveal whom is right....

[Mad Dog]

all they need to is repeat the effort from last night.

But that, right there, is the reason why they have been a mediocre team so far.  There is a reason why substandard teams struggle with consistency.  Even the likes of Florida and Buffalo will come up with a jaw-dropping game once in a while. But maintaining that level is what so-so teams struggle with.  If they had everything they needed, they wouldn't be a 500 team.  Wouldn't you think?

[ruxpin]

But that, right there, is the reason why they have been a mediocre team so far.  There is a reason why substandard teams struggle with consistency.  Even the likes of Florida and Buffalo will come up with a jaw-dropping game once in a while. But maintaining that level is what so-so teams struggle with.  If they had everything they needed, they wouldn't be a 500 team.  Wouldn't you think?

 

This, exponentially.  

 

I didn't mind the signing of Streit the player.   The length of the contract was my only real problem.   If we decide we're sellers at the deadline I'd love to get rid of his contract because it is only downhill from here.  You wait until next year and no one is going to want him, or you'll get nothing for him and be stuck with a really old guy who's lost his offensive ability due to decrease in speed and couldn't play defense to begin with.

[OccamsRazor]

But that, right there, is the reason why they have been a mediocre team so far.  There is a reason why substandard teams struggle with consistency.  Even the likes of Florida and Buffalo will come up with a jaw-dropping game once in a while. But maintaining that level is what so-so teams struggle with.  If they had everything they needed, they wouldn't be a 500 team.  Wouldn't you think?

I mean sure they could always use some different type guys , but at what cost? So without some dream scenario I'm standing pat and let them work it out because I think they have pretty much everything they just need to be consistent...but lots of teams need that, they'll find. Away or someone will be out the door if they missed the playoffs...again...who? It could be many out or not....

[OH1FlyersFan]

I've been bashing this guy since he signed that contract. And I realize if Holmgren was stupid enough to offer that to me I'd take it too. And I'm sure he's been whistling his way to the bank, not crying over somebodys remarks on the internet.

 

 But I can also admit when the guy does good. And last night I thought he was great. He played a solid defensive game, including a great one on one play with Ovechkin. He made several nice passes...really nice. And that one timer from the point was unstoppable by any goalie...that thing was a laser with eyes. Maybe like a lot of others he just needs everyone to show up to motivate himself.

 

 Still hate that contract though.

I agree with all of this and have done my own fair share of Streit bashing.  Like you, I think it's a waste of a contract, but he earned a little of it last night.  That's what I'm expecting every night, though.

[ruxpin]

I agree with all of this and have done my own fair share of Streit bashing.  Like you, I think it's a waste of a contract, but he earned a little of it last night.  That's what I'm expecting every night, though.

 

Last night was actually what I thought we were getting (for this year and maybe next year anyway) when we signed him.  Actually, last night was even better than what I thought we'd be getting.   Yeah, if he can bring that every night he'll more than earn his keep (for this year and maybe next year anyway).

[OH1FlyersFan]

Last night was actually what I thought we were getting (for this year and maybe next year anyway) when we signed him.

 

That was my expectation too.  Or at least my hope.  He's only got a couple of good years left - at best.  Maybe he'll gain some confidence from this and keep it going.

[DaGreatGazoo]

 Like you, I think it's a waste of a contract, but he earned a little of it last night.  That's what I'm expecting every night, though.

 

THIS!  ^^^^^^^

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, if he can bring that every night he'll more than earn his keep (for this year and maybe next year anyway).

 

And that is a part of the point I was trying to make. It's probably something that we, fans, will never get an answer to, but why didn't he bring that every night? Hell, I don't even expect him to bring that every single night. But of 34 games he played this season (I don't think he missed any yet), this was clearly Streit's best game.

 

His stat line is hardly a testimony of steady play. We have been told that he was brought in almost exclusively for his offense, which I have a problem with when we discuss defensemen. But putting this aside for a minute, he has 13 points in 34 games, which projects roughly to 31 points. Guess what? That's not even close enough when compared to what's been expected when he was signed. Whether those expectations were reasonable or not, that's open for debate, but he's better pick it up and pick it up fast or it will be looked at as yet another brutal signing (which I think it is anyway).

 

So back to my original question: why didn't he bring the performance we saw last night most of the games?  See, I doubt this is because of lack of desire or willingness to compete.  I just think at 36, like what we are seeing with Timonen, he no longer has it.  I am afraid he is declining at a record pace. And our brilliant GM signed him at $5.25 mil/ year for the next 4 years.  Just plain suicidal…

 

Worse yet, if Streit retires or gets injured, his cap hit stays on the cap until the contract expires.  Homer did not learn a thing from his previous mistakes.  Why take such an expensive risk and put yourself in a position where you are basically looking to be erasing another bad contract to add another?  Sure the Flyers needed a puck carrying defenseman, but was it the best option?  At this cost and for the output we have seen so far, I would venture to answer no.

[radoran]

So back to my original question: why didn't he bring the performance we saw last night most of the games?  See, I doubt this is because of lack of desire or willingness to compete.  I just think at 36, like what we are seeing with Timonen, he no longer has it.  I am afraid he is declining at a record pace. And our brilliant GM signed him at $5.25 mil/ year for the next 4 years.  Just plain suicidal…

 

Worse yet, if Streit retires or gets injured, his cap hit stays on the cap until the contract expires.  Homer did not learn a thing from his previous mistakes.  Why take such an expensive risk and put yourself in a position where you are basically looking to be erasing another bad contract to add another?  Sure the Flyers needed a puck carrying defenseman, but was it the best option?  At this cost and for the output we have seen so far, I would venture to answer no.

 

Streit was probably the best option for this year but, again Homer plugged a one-year issue with a multi-year solution.

 

"Need" a #1 C thisyear? Sign Danny Briere to an eight year deal, try to convert him to wing two years later and buy him out in year 6 because your "first line center" isn't doing well as a 2/3 line winger.

 

And so it goes.

[flyerrod]

@MadDog

I think part of the problem has been the lack of cohesion with any line not having Read/Downie/Couturier on it. Berube has been moving the parts around and I think he is finally starting to hit the mark with the other lines. I think that will help some with the defensive issues they have been having too.