arturo7
Well-Known Member
I'd prefer fewer of both
That's a shame because players like Hartnell are the heart and soul of hockey.
I'd prefer fewer of both
True. IMNSHO if you don't enjoy watching Marion Hossa play the game, then I hate you. I've always enjoyed watching power forwards play the game. The ability to carry the pick wide, one handed, holding a man back without holding him, and making a pass or shot effortlessly is a thing of beauty. We saw a glimmer of that in pitt/philly game 2 with Jagr carrying Duproix on his back. Just awesome play!!! Who on Detroit are you referring to?
You all must have missed the month of March when he was player of the month with something like 10 wins and 4 shutouts. He then proceeded to have a bone chip/fracture in his foot, which I think he's still dealing with. No excuse on earlier in the season, but I'm sure he's adjusting to going from two small market teams to the Flyers. Give him another year or two and see where he's at.
On top of that, Pronger, their captain, and a playoff warrior has been out since earlier in the year. Meszaros is out as well. They've had several rookies on the blue line this year. No excuses, the defense needs to play better (yes, you Matt Carle), as does Bryzgalov, but considering the merry go round of defenseman back there, new team, huge pressure place to play considering Philly's goalie history, and his own injury, he's done fairly well. I wouldn't say his numbers are up there where they need to be, but had the Flyers split with the Rangers this year rather than going 0-6, they would have won the conference.
That's classic. I remember busting on him about this during those seasons.
That's a shame because players like Hartnell are the heart and soul of hockey.
I don't know. He's undisciplined and ends up in the box too much because of it. Even when he isn't called he's walking a fine line. He's middle of the road production-wise (I believe this has been his best offensive season) but I will say he is a monster in the playoffs. In my mind he's an overrated player who has exceeded his talent. He's really just a grinder who plays above that level. In that sense I can agree with your comment but I still don't like him. I will admit that I would most likely have a different opinion if I was a Flyers fan.
Bryz and Luongo are proof positive that once NHL stars get a long term contract their play goes to the sh*tter. Philly had to solve their tender ****uation from last two seasons, but no way was Bryz worth that kind of dough.
I especially like the way he went cup chasing in Detroit and Pittsburgh to no avail, he's a cherry picking dick.
paulster2626 said:Luongo has played very well this year - seems nobody really watches Canucks games.
The fact that the Canucks are down 3 games to 1 is not the fault of their goaltender.
Luongo has played very well this year - seems nobody really watches Canucks games.
The fact that the Canucks are down 3 games to 1 is not the fault of their goaltender.
ColbyJack said:Predictions for todays games? I say Boston by two goals. Phoenix by one goal. St. Louis by one goal. Devils in overtime.
I agree the jury is still out but there needs to be an improvement in his production if he's going to justify that contract. You need to stand on your head consistently for that kind of money.
I don't know. He's undisciplined and ends up in the box too much because of it. Even when he isn't called he's walking a fine line. He's middle of the road production-wise (I believe this has been his best offensive season) but I will say he is a monster in the playoffs. In my mind he's an overrated player who has exceeded his talent. He's really just a grinder who plays above that level. In that sense I can agree with your comment but I still don't like him. I will admit that I would most likely have a different opinion if I was a Flyers fan.
ColbyJack said:Nice comeback... I watch a lot of Canucks games. They are the closest thing to a local team we have here in Alaska. Tampa and Vancouver are my next favorite teams to follow. But the regular season is over. He does not respond to the pressure thr way a starting goalie must.
Undeniable that everyone, including their coach, sees he is lacking, either in skill, confidence, preparation, or leadership.
jtkratzer said:Devils and Caps each tie their series up at 2 games each. The yotes are getting close to taking a 3-1 lead over Chicago.
I never saw much of Mike Smith before but I love watching him play (second to Rinne). Phoenix is definitely using him to his strengths as a small guy, and the trust they have in the way he plays the puck is awesome.
arturo7 said:That's a shame because players like Hartnell are the heart and soul of hockey.
Just needs to win. 40-45 wins and I'm content. I don't need top 5 in stats, just need those wins.
You must not watch him play. He's a 0.65 point per game player over his career with the Flyers and has only missed 3 games since 2007-2008.
He led the ENTIRE league in PP goals this year, and yes, his 67 points is a career year, but only by 7 points.
He has taken some stupid penalties at times and gone through some funks, but he's a great heart and soul player who has the talent to piss people off and score goals. He's a hard working player and I think any fan of the game would love him if he played on their team, but would hate him otherwise...just like Simmonds.
He's only scored 60 points twice during the regular season, normally he's a 45 point guy, and he's a first line guy. He takes more minors than he scores points. After researching his stats I found out that he's a career -5 in the playoffs with 0 game tying or game winning goals. If he was a Wing I would defend him but otherwise... Simmonds will end up being the better player. Hartnell's a grinder and that's all, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Wow, Chicago blew it.
freshz said:couldn't agree more. I hate the flyers but love hartnell. He's almost old school. Helluva player. Wish the blues had him.
Sharks have nothing. Down 3-1 after tonight, out in 5. Go blues!!!
Yeah. Their defense has been crap: giveaways, sloppy breakout attempts, Oduya and Keith making the argument that d should stick to d...
I never saw much of Mike Smith before but I love watching him play (second to Rinne). Phoenix is definitely using him to his strengths as a small guy, and the trust they have in the way he plays the puck is awesome.
Keeping stats on GTG and GWG is meaningless to me. If you score the first goal of a game and it's the only goal, like Boyle's, it's a game winner. It's no more important than scoring the first goal for your team in a 2-1 or any other score where you win. Every goal counts, except for the last 15 the Pens scored last night.
But in general, each and every goal is siginificant. Boyle's goal wouldn't have lost significance if the Rangers won 2-1 and the Sens had tied that game at 1 before the Rangers took the lead again. That goal was still necessary to win.
I'm just not a fan of tracking who scores GWG or GTG. Stupid state. Worse than +/- for individuals.
Maybe Simmonds will be better...but his PPG for his career and with Philly are lower than Hartnell's. Simmonds has no GWG or GTG in the playoffs and he's a minus player in the postseason as well. Where he has Hartnell beat, in the mere 16 playoff games of his career, his points per game go up in the playoffs over the regular season and Hartnell's drop. Hartnell has cracked 60 points only twice, but Simmonds has yet to even crack 50.
Hartnell provides far more than a typical grinder like Asham, Rinaldo, Adams, etc (in the Pens/Flyers series). He also is a guy that goes to the front of the net like Mike Knuble did, but he also provides the agitation and willingness to get in scrums. He's more talented offensively than most 3rd-4th line players.
He led his team in goals this season so at some point he has to get a game winner in the playoffs. I agree it's not the most useful stat but impact players need to show up when goals are needed the most.
Hartnell's only broke 50 twice. The 60 point season and this season. The reason I'll give Simmonds credit is he's young and has time to show he can be better. Will he be? Who knows, but I think he will. When Hartnell was his age his highest point total was 48, Simmonds had 49. I'd say they are very similar players at this point and it's really just splitting hairs. Honestly both players take way too many penalties for my liking. But then again I think that whole team does. To me it's just a lack of discipline.
Luongo has played very well this year - seems nobody really watches Canucks games.
The fact that the Canucks are down 3 games to 1 is not the fault of their goaltender.
He led his team in goals this season so at some point he has to get a game winner in the playoffs. I agree it's not the most useful stat but impact players need to show up when goals are needed the most.
Hartnell's only broke 50 twice. The 60 point season and this season. The reason I'll give Simmonds credit is he's young and has time to show he can be better. Will he be? Who knows, but I think he will. When Hartnell was his age his highest point total was 48, Simmonds had 49. I'd say they are very similar players at this point and it's really just splitting hairs. Honestly both players take way too many penalties for my liking. But then again I think that whole team does. To me it's just a lack of discipline.