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Playoffs: Who Cares!


eleven24

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I realized something when watching Neuvirth make that incredible save last night.  I wanted Minnesota to tie the game.  I didn't want the hockey game to end.  I wanted 3v3 OT.  I wanted to watch Ghost with that open ice. After all of the talk about how great the "potential" is of the Flyers young blue line prospects - we are finally seeing it first hand.  Ghost is, for all intents and purposes, the symbol of the Flyers future.  His play has breathed life into the entire Flyers organization, and at the same time has validated Hextall's patient approach to building the team.

 

And I love it.

 

I don't want the Flyers to ever make the playoffs so they can be a 1st round punching bag.  I don't want the Flyers to make the playoffs so they can play another 4-5 games and then be done.  They can't compete with Washington, at least not right now.  They're not ready... but it's coming.  Ghost is just the first.  A better draft pick is more important than making the playoffs this year.

 

So when I saw Neuvirth make that save, I was a little deflated.  I wanted 3v3.  I wanted to see Ghost out there doing his thing.  Why?  Because I finally realized that the reason I love watching Ghost play, and the reason the playoffs are insignificant this year is because Ghost represents the Flyers future.  A very promising future.  He is just the first of several pieces who will renew our hope, our legitimate hope for a Stanley Cup.

 

Until then, I am loving watching Flyers hockey again.  Not for the wins and losses.  Not for the points in the standings.  But for knowing what is to come.  

 

 

 

 

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@murraycraven I'm not rooting for the Flyers to lose, but rather I'm more interested in how well they may have played over what the outcome is.  For example, the Carolina game was a great game.  They played well, but lost.  

 

Put it this way.  The 1984 Flyers has guys like Craven, Tocchet, the Sutters, and Pelle Eklund all under 21 years old.  Mike Keenan was a rookie, and relatively unknown coach.  In 2016 the Flyers have a ton of young talent on the way and a very good, yet relatively unknown coach.  

 

I'm excited at 2 years from now. Until then, it is just fun watching the kids develop.

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Even if you they lose the majority of these games what's the probability that they draft a player that is adequate to satisfy Flyers fans? There are already a myriad of teams that will likely end up lower then Philly, thus acquiring a higher draft pick. Honestly, neither action will have a significant impact. Whether you qualify for the playoffs or lose the majority of your games.

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I don't think the playoffs are out of reach, nor do I think they shouldn't try to get there.

 

I like how the team is developing, but if they put together a run and get blown out in the first round, I don't think that's a problem.

 

To be clear, they don't need to make moves to get there and should make moves to gain additional draft/prospect assets if possible.

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 @radoran  I agree completely, I guess my perspective is if they get into the playoffs, great.  More games to watch.  I'm just not, as I've been in the past, obsessing over the standings.   Maybe it's just that as a Flyers fan this is the first time I ever remember an actual rebuilding process where the GM actually said they're not focusing on the playoffs, rather they're focused on the future.  I also can't remember, as a Flyers fan, the last time we got to talk about home grown talent working their way up to the NHL and having an impact.  

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1 hour ago, eleven24 said:

I realized something when watching Neuvirth make that incredible save last night.  I wanted Minnesota to tie the game.  I didn't want the hockey game to end.  I wanted 3v3 OT.  I wanted to watch Ghost with that open ice. After all of the talk about how great the "potential" is of the Flyers young blue line prospects - we are finally seeing it first hand.  Ghost is, for all intents and purposes, the symbol of the Flyers future.  His play has breathed life into the entire Flyers organization, and at the same time has validated Hextall's patient approach to building the team.

 

 

Ugh not me....I wanted to win and get out of there at a decent time for once....I cant tell you how many times this year we are winning only to cough it up at then end and then lose in the stupid SO and I get home super late and pissed off to boot!  I will admit the 3 vs 3 is awesome live, especially with Ghost, but there is no way I want us to cough up a lead to get there.  Now if we tie the game late to get there, that is a different story but please no more blown leads guys.

 

I get what you are saying about how we have no chance at the SC this year and how it is all about the future.  I agree...but I would love for them to make a playoff push and get in and get some experience for Hacks, and some of the younger players, (Ghost Cousins etc.).  Will it be painful to get pounded by the Caps?  Sure but it sure beats missing the playoffs multiple years in a row....and hey sometimes if matchups and injuries and bounces go just right upsets sometimes happen as unlikely as that would be.  It is just fun to be in the playoffs especially when you have no expectations so I wanna go back!!!  

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1 hour ago, BluPuk said:

Getting a high first round draft pick does not equal improvement. Look around. (Edmonton.....)

 

Just sayin'....

 

The difference is Philly already has goaltending AND a fistful of great defensive prospects AND Giroux/Voracek/Simmonds/Schenn/Couturier/Konecny/Laughton. All we need is time and a few good forwards.

 

Forwards are easy to draft...this ain't the Leafs.:lol:

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1 hour ago, eleven24 said:

@murraycraven I'm not rooting for the Flyers to lose, but rather I'm more interested in how well they may have played over what the outcome is.  For example, the Carolina game was a great game.  They played well, but lost.  

 

Put it this way.  The 1984 Flyers has guys like Craven, Tocchet, the Sutters, and Pelle Eklund  (He came in 1985) all under 21 years old.  Mike Keenan was a rookie, and relatively unknown coach.  In 2016 the Flyers have a ton of young talent on the way and a very good, yet relatively unknown coach.  

 

I'm excited at 2 years from now. Until then, it is just fun watching the kids develop.

 

Just bustin your chops here,  but the 1984 team isnt a good parallel for you to draw in this thread (about not caring about the playoffs) as they went all the way to the SC Final and even pounded the Oilers in game 1 before losing the next 4 straight.  Again though I share your joy in that the future is bright!

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@Poulin20 2 moments burned in my head forever from the 85 & 87 teams.  Poulin's 2-man SHG vs Quebec.  JJ Daigneault's go ahead game 6 goal vs Edmonton, preceded by Propp's tying goal from the slot.

 

So many what if's... Lindbergh... injuries in 87... 

 

Those teams still the best ever, as far as I'm concerned

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2 minutes ago, eleven24 said:

@Poulin20 2 moments burned in my head forever from the 85 & 87 teams.  Poulin's 2-man SHG vs Quebec.  JJ Daigneault's go ahead game 6 goal vs Edmonton, preceded by Propp's tying goal from the slot.

 

So many what if's... Lindbergh... injuries in 87... 

 

Those teams still the best ever, as far as I'm concerned

Couldnt have said it any better myself! especially the part I bolded :goodjob:

So many great moments during both those grueling runs!  But yeah the Poulin 5 on 3 SHG to ice the Wales Conference trophy was epic as was the comeback in game 6 in 1987.  Eklund set up the Propper's GT PPG and that winner came from nowhere...I still wonder if Mellanby tipped that JJ shot to this day?

 

Pelle will always haunt me as his death ruined the next season for them when they had a clear path to the Cup as the Oilers bowed out early that year.   I also hated that the Oilers got to play all these cream puffs in the Campell conference while we got the Rags, Isles, Habs, and then got a crack at the Oil when we were beaten up.  Tim Kerr what if???  (Poulin playing with cracked Ribs etc etc) 

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3 hours ago, eleven24 said:

I realized something when watching Neuvirth make that incredible save last night.  I wanted Minnesota to tie the game.  I didn't want the hockey game to end.  I wanted 3v3 OT.  I wanted to watch Ghost with that open ice. After all of the talk about how great the "potential" is of the Flyers young blue line prospects - we are finally seeing it first hand.  Ghost is, for all intents and purposes, the symbol of the Flyers future.  His play has breathed life into the entire Flyers organization, and at the same time has validated Hextall's patient approach to building the team.

 

And I love it.

 

I don't want the Flyers to ever make the playoffs so they can be a 1st round punching bag.  I don't want the Flyers to make the playoffs so they can play another 4-5 games and then be done.  They can't compete with Washington, at least not right now.  They're not ready... but it's coming.  Ghost is just the first.  A better draft pick is more important than making the playoffs this year.

 

So when I saw Neuvirth make that save, I was a little deflated.  I wanted 3v3.  I wanted to see Ghost out there doing his thing.  Why?  Because I finally realized that the reason I love watching Ghost play, and the reason the playoffs are insignificant this year is because Ghost represents the Flyers future.  A very promising future.  He is just the first of several pieces who will renew our hope, our legitimate hope for a Stanley Cup.

 

Until then, I am loving watching Flyers hockey again.  Not for the wins and losses.  Not for the points in the standings.  But for knowing what is to come.  

 

 

 

 

 

You've been living under the oppression of Homer's mistakes for far too long.  Your perspective has been compromised.  You've been "Bettmanned"  push fluids and keep calm.  It gets better.  I hope.  

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3 hours ago, radoran said:

I don't think the playoffs are out of reach, nor do I think they shouldn't try to get there.

 

I like how the team is developing, but if they put together a run and get blown out in the first round, I don't think that's a problem.

 

To be clear, they don't need to make moves to get there and should make moves to gain additional draft/prospect assets if possible.

 

Pretty much. I'm fine if they make the playoffs - it will have exceeded my expectations for the season. If they miss the playoffs and garner a few more quality prospects in the process, I'm ok with that too.

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I care about the playoffs.  I can't have the same mindset like fans from BUF, CBJ, EDM and the like.  If my team has a chance to make the playoffs, I am going to hope they make it. Simply for the fact that every other sports team in Philly sucks right now.  So it would be nice to have bragging rights and something to cheer for even if it lasts a week.

 

 

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13 hours ago, radoran said:

I don't think the playoffs are out of reach, nor do I think they shouldn't try to get there.

 

I like how the team is developing, but if they put together a run and get blown out in the first round, I don't think that's a problem.

 

To be clear, they don't need to make moves to get there and should make moves to gain additional draft/prospect assets if possible.

 

Totally agree.  To me there is no harm sneaking into the playoffs and getting blitzed in the 1st round.  At the very least it exposes the deficiencies of the team in a best of seven series and gives Hextall a better idea of what the team needs going forward.  Now some might say he could just as easily evaluate what the team needs without making the playoffs all the while getting a better draft pick in the process.  While the latter may be true about getting a better draft pick I'm not 100% sold on the former.  The regular season simply tests to see if the team is good enough to earn a playoff berth.  Being built to win in the regular season and being built to win in the playoffs are two completely different animals and as we all know Cups are won in the playoffs.    

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I'll never root for the team to lose for a better draft pick. The players and coach should do everything they can this season to get into the playoffs. Management should do everything they can to eliminate bad contracts, dead weight, and guys who aren't part of the team's future.

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20 hours ago, eleven24 said:

I realized something when watching Neuvirth make that incredible save last night.  I wanted Minnesota to tie the game.  I didn't want the hockey game to end.  I wanted 3v3 OT.  I wanted to watch Ghost with that open ice. After all of the talk about how great the "potential" is of the Flyers young blue line prospects - we are finally seeing it first hand.  Ghost is, for all intents and purposes, the symbol of the Flyers future.  His play has breathed life into the entire Flyers organization, and at the same time has validated Hextall's patient approach to building the team.

 

And I love it.

 

I don't want the Flyers to ever make the playoffs so they can be a 1st round punching bag.  I don't want the Flyers to make the playoffs so they can play another 4-5 games and then be done.  They can't compete with Washington, at least not right now.  They're not ready... but it's coming.  Ghost is just the first.  A better draft pick is more important than making the playoffs this year.

 

So when I saw Neuvirth make that save, I was a little deflated.  I wanted 3v3.  I wanted to see Ghost out there doing his thing.  Why?  Because I finally realized that the reason I love watching Ghost play, and the reason the playoffs are insignificant this year is because Ghost represents the Flyers future.  A very promising future.  He is just the first of several pieces who will renew our hope, our legitimate hope for a Stanley Cup.

 

Until then, I am loving watching Flyers hockey again.  Not for the wins and losses.  Not for the points in the standings.  But for knowing what is to come.  

 

 

 

 

I see what you're saying but I don't want them to lose, and I certainly don't need them to lose to get a higher draft pick.  You are just looking for positive things to keep you entertained which is sort of my end goal also.

That's why I'm not 100% sold on this Hextal plan yet.  I keep thinking about the "bad Homer days" and I think, were they really that bad?  Was getting 100+ points, making multiple ECFs, and making one final with some high priced vets and some goons the worst thing that could happen?  But they weren't able to skate the cup around the ice for an hour and celebrate for a week before summer hits and everyone goes back to normal life, so it's a complete disaster right?  So we have to deal with the umbergers, reads, vandeveldes, whites, Macdonalds, shultzs, streits, raffles, and so on for a few years so one day we can celebrate for a week.

I know Hextal's plan is just beginning.  But let's say this team makes the playoffs and starts to make a run.  I just don't know it I could get excited for this group.  They're so unlikeable as hockey players.  With the exception of 4 or 5 players, I don't really root for the individuals.  I liked the 2010 team with all my heart.  I even really liked the team that was the worst in franchise history 06/07?).  I don't like this team.

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On 2/26/2016 at 10:23 AM, eleven24 said:

the reason the playoffs are insignificant this year is because Ghost represents the Flyers future.

 

I agree with your whole post except for this - I figure it's just the opposite. Let the young guy(s) get some experience in the POs ASAP. It's a whole different vibe, from the preparation thru the games and even the meetings after the games. Ghost, Cousins, Manning etc. need to see what it's like, how the intensity goes up, feel the pressure etc. No matter how lopsided the opposing teams are the POs are a world of their own. The sooner the younger guys experience it firsthand the better imho.

 

What's the alternative, the Flyers get a slightly higher pick? I guess 2 weeks of PO hockey is more beneficial to the Flyers, particularly the young guys. And it wouldn't hurt Mason / Neuvirth to get some more PO reps as well. In a year or 2 the Flyers will (should) be a legit threat to win the Cup. The more experience the team gets now the better their chances of surviving and advancing later.

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On 2/26/2016 at 10:28 AM, BluPuk said:

Getting a high first round draft pick does not equal improvement. Look around. (Edmonton.....)

 

Just sayin'....

I would agree with this for the most point. The flip side of this point is how a team drafts! Edmonton hasn't drafted well the last few years! Someone in management doing their jobs correctly!:cool[1]:

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