Vanflyer

At least with downie, he is willing to answer the bell. Cooke (with exception to two years ago), generally runs and hides.

With the Flyers current speed, they would blow by and it would be 3-2's / 2-1's all day long every time he was on the ice (unless of course you have a Couturier on your team, which you do not).

Yes, he is not a Cooke- thats for sure. He can play hockey without the need to be a cheap shot. I think Downies issues are more a lack of control on his anger where-as Cookes are pre-meditated meanness. Cooke has always been a mucker and does not have the skill of a Downie.

Downie changed his game allot once going to Colorado last year. He actually played pretty decently (20 gp / 13 pts / + 9 / 16pims: that translates to 53 points, +36 and 65 pims over a full season).

He will have a rough road to hoe this year as the opposition will be keying on him. If we can roll three strong scoring lines (even with the third in a checking roll), that will bode well for roo's continued success.

(Richards 48th) http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=81134

He had 270 hits last year (100 more than any other Flyer). I agree with your point: clear the crease and hit people- don't worry about the offensive stuff (also make good breakout passes).

Not to nitpick, of course their Vezina winning goalie has tremendous heart and soul as well.

Fixed it for ya!

I guess the new board did not like him bringing Irish Whiskey to the board meetings and given them the same spiel over and over. Seriously, he definitely pissed someone(s) off on the board. There is no way you make this move at this time of year if not otherwise. Additionally, Noonis is a puppet / yes man. I doubt he will be the permanent replacement for Burke. That said, I believe we have to give homage where homage is due: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zh1szSHbyM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkdU_Kd7pA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg8jZzFqa3w

When I was in unniversity, I bar tended at the local watering whole. We had a couple of hot blonde female bar backs as well. There was a separate phone line in the kitchen and we would call the bar.....and you can figure out the rest. Very adolescent, but the one bar maid would never pick up on it (and the other one never told her). She would spend a good five minutes....has anyone seen .....blah blah blah.

Interesting to see that stat line since it is a common refrain that Briere does not show up for the regular season.

Drury was the guy I wanted. Mostly because I thought he was a tremendous leader and reminded me allot of Poulin in that regard. In that final season with Buffalo, Drury and Briere split "C" duties (interesting concept). I never realized that Briere had that much gumption as a "tell it the way it is guy". His time with philly has changed that perception.

Next up:

I actually first thought it was another goalies (who I will reserve for a later posting). Different team, but very similar.

See Gustafson and Manning for reference.

of course I did, but I also got tired of the whip lash when I had to snap my head and see the puck in our net after those devastating hits.

I guess for me, he can wait until his college season is done and join the phantoms (though that is not a winning environment lately- especially with the departure of Schenn and Coots). Terry Murray is very good with kids and that to me would benefit him more in having an opportunity to have a more steady ice time while learning the pro ropes. Invite him to the rookie camp and training camp next summer.

Yeah, but Ray Charles always had stash and hot girls to go along for the ride.

I don't see the point to bringing him to camp. Let him finish out his season at Union College (and education) and then if you want to have a look see, bring him into a couple of practices. I personally think 165 lbs in a NHL d-spot is too small.

That is Dennis Herrons mask for the Kansas City Scouts.

Briere does show up night in and night out in the locker room and with the media. I also think a shorter season bodes well for Briere as there won't be a need to "save" himself.

Knuble would be a PP specialist only. His tank looked pretty empty to me last year. Never the fleetest of feet, last year he looked to be skating in molasses.

Yeah but routinely took himself out of the play to make the hit.

Who?