Flyers 2006 Offseason Thread

[ice grillin you]

gauthier is fine...he needs to stay...just because hes a monster hitter doesnt mean he cant skate...its hatcher and rathje that cant move...they both need to go...clarke set this team back a couple years with the awful signings of hatcher and rathje

the key to next season is not who they pick up but its what the guys they have do...carter and richards need to take huge steps forward offensively for this team to have any chance next year...and they need a goalie of course


unfortunately the defense really have no one in development who can come up and make a difference unless alexandre picard surprises...their system is pretty bare...jones cant play in the nhl

1. pitkanen
2. jonsson
3. hatcher
4. meyer
5. gauthier
6. ?

and there is no guarantee jonsson comes back


this team im sad to say is going to get worse before it gets better

[Eagles_Legendz]

I don't mind keeping 1 big defenseman and if I had my choice that 1 guy would be Hatcher (I guess). Gauthier and Rathje need to go.

What are you studying? I'm working on a Psych paper and studying for my business final. Finals week sucks ass.

We re-upped Gauthier before the playoffs as well, so assume he's back.  I don't mind him as much as Hatcher or Rathje.

I'm trying to finish a paper today for Russian History, and studying for a random American Lit final that I have later in the day.

And Phreak, that doesn't really suprise me about Johnsson.  I don't think Johnsson is a top tier defenseman, but I supposed he would want to be paid as one after the season ended.  Not bringing him back gives them options to go after someone like Kubina, but they still need to address speed issues that Rathje and Hatcher create.  They just aren't fast enough to skate with teams like Buffalo.

[SD_Eagle5]

gauthier is fine...he needs to stay...just because hes a monster hitter doesnt mean he cant skate...its hatcher and rathje that cant move...they both need to go...clarke set this team back a couple years with the awful signings of hatcher and rathje

The 3 of them are essentially the same type of player, pick 1, keep him, trade the other 2.

We re-upped Gauthier before the playoffs as well, so assume he's back.

Trade

[BigEd76]

From OrangeandBlack.net.  No links or anything, just an internet rumor at this point.....

"I had a long conversation with a friend who works for the NHLPA up here in Toronto and he was privy to a conversation he wasn't suppossed to hear.

Apparently, Forsberg has told Bobby Clarke and Ed Snider that he will not play for Hitchock, moving forward. He has told them that if they keep Hitch, they either have to trade Forsberg or he will retire and go back to Sweden. It sounds like he has his own coaching candidates in mind, but this has caused quite a situation as Clarke and Snider are at their wit's end as to what to do.

And this is not just the frustration of these playoffs. Apparently Forsberg has met privately with Clarke and Snider several times over the course of the season. He has complained that Hitchock is too set in his ways and has not adapted well to the new NHL. In addition, Forsberg has been beside himself as to how Hitchcock treats younger players on the team. He feels (and apparently that there are others on the team) that the rookies development will only be hampered with Hitchcock behind the bench."
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I was just reading my original post and forgot another important "bone of contention" with the team. It sounds like a majority of the team were much more in favor of Nittymaki being the playoff goalie and even when team leaders approached Hitchcock to have a discussion about the situation, he wouldn't listen.

There was a shouting match earlier this year between Hitch and Forsberg that was reported, so maybe there's something to this.  hmm...

[MDS]

Happy time in Voorhes!

[Wingspan]

they really should put this behind them and start focusing on the next playoff series.

[SD_Eagle5]

Forsberg has always played the role of the good solidier, I read a rumor a month or so ago that the locker room environment was on shakey ground. I'd hate for this to be true because:
A. There's not a better coaching candidate out there than Hitchcock. I can't think of anyone close
B. Losing Forsberg would suck even though he's only under contract for 1 more season.

I guess there's no chance the Thrashers release Hartley.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Forsberg is much more valuable to the team than is Hitchcock.

[SD_Eagle5]

Forsberg is much more valuable to the team than is Hitchcock.

He's only under contract for 1 more season, though.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

How many seasons does it take to win a Stanley Cup?

[ice grillin you]

hockey coaches are essentially worthless...its all about the players more than any other sport

[SD_Eagle5]

How many seasons does it take to win a Stanley Cup?

More than 30, apparently.

hockey coaches are essentially worthless...its all about the players more than any other sport

I disagree but you're certainly entitled to your opinion.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

If Forsberg thinks Hitch can't adjust to the new NHL, I'll take his word for it.

[SD_Eagle5]

If Forsberg thinks Hitch can't adjust to the new NHL, I'll take his word for it.

Is it Hitch's fault that Clarke built a slow D and refuses to get a #1 goalie?

[Seabiscuit36]

I heard Clarkie is not happy with Hitch and is looking at Pat Quinn to replace hitch.