Just wanted to give Simmonds his own thread. He has been playing a dominating game of late and I hope this is just a glimpse of what the future holds for him in a flyers uniform.
I was pumped when the flyers got him from the kings, but Schenn was definitely the centerpiece of the deal with Simmonds being the extra piece. I would have never thought he would have as many goals as richards and schenn combined at this point in the season.
I love him on the line with Giroux and Hartnell. I think that his (and hartnells) tenacious, physical style of play really compliment Giroux perfectly. they are able to wreak havoc in the offensive zone which gives Giroux a little more space to operate. I feel like Giroux has been able to have control of the puck more often lately usually with more space then at any point in January and early feburary. I hope that continues.
I also love Simmonds and Harntell on the same power play unit. They both clog the slot up causing the Defesemen to collaspe a little closer to the net which gives Giroux and Voracek on the half boards more time to make plays and get shots off. Then when the shot comes Simmonds is great at picking up the garbage rebound goals because he is so tough for the dmen to clear out. Their last few power play goals were carbon copies of one another. Lets hope that continues as well.
I am looking forward to seeing Simmonds for years to come with the flyers...
I called Simmonds a future 40 goal scorer and I stand by it. He's on pace to score 32 this year and he's securely entrenched himself in the top six. I'm surprised at just how good of a hockey player he really is. His skill level is very underrated. He's also not a penalty prone player for the type of game he plays (75 PIM in 59 games) and not only that, he can really throw the dukes.
I think he's been our best player in 2012. He gets from point A to point B in a flash and not without making somebody hurt. Dude was born to wear the jersey.
His hockey sense is very amazing for a player that young. He is always in the correct spot to screen and pick up the garbage. The combination of Talbot, Simmonds, and Hartnell as players that have an effective presence in front of the opposing teams goalies is a big part of the Flyers scoring the most goals per game.
I think I had expected about 20 goals out of Simmonds this season, and that would have been effective to me, but hes already surpassed that and continues to impress.
I was a huge fan of that PP unit of putting two bodies like Hartnell and Simmonds right in front of Pavelec. I don't know too many teams that try and do something like that but it seemed to work (and if you noticed Simmonds beautifully assisted Hartnell on that play) and confuse the Jets.
I love the line of Hartnell-Giroux-Simmonds. Two guys that are great at finishing Giroux's good passing right in front of the net and both of whom play a gritty sandpaper style and force their way to the net which opens up space for G. Also having two tough guys on either side of our superstar isn't such a bad idea, teams might feel less inclined to go after Claude when they have to deal with those two after every whistle.
LA is probably kicking themselves. Simmonds and Schenn and Couts and Voracek and eventually Cousins is making those trades both look like the heists of the year.
I remember wanting him bad when they were talking about trading Carter to LA in threads last year. He just seemed like a Flyer. Now that he is here, Laviolette putting him in front of the net on the PP and now #1 line with Giroux, Genius. Love em. That Hartnell-Giroux-Simmonds line could be gold
LA is probably kicking themselves. Simmonds and Schenn and Couts and Voracek and eventually Cousins is making those trades both look like the heists of the year.
Add Grossman to the list- he was added using the picks from these trades.
Add Grossman to the list- he was added using the picks from these trades.
Yeah was going to mention that but couldn't recall if we traded the pick for Grossman or Kubina. Kubina was for the Versteeg pick from Fla which was conditional anyway...right?
I would def like to keep Grossman as he's young enough and just entering his prime years as a D man and looks pretty good so far. We may be able to keep Kubina since he wants to stick around and doesn't want to move his family again. We can keep him at a fair price along with Jags but it depends on how he plays I guess. I think he will do fine and has a couple of years left at least.
LA is probably kicking themselves. Simmonds and Schenn and Couts and Voracek and eventually Cousins is making those trades both look like the heists of the year.
As much as I still hate how the deals happened, and the dark shadow they cast over the team, I have to applaud Holmgren for the huge returns he negotiated. Few "salary dumps" work out so well for the dumper.
As much as I still hate how the deals happened, and the dark shadow they cast over the team, I have to applaud Holmgren for the huge returns he negotiated. Few "salary dumps" work out so well for the dumper.
As much as I still hate how the deals happened, and the dark shadow they cast over the team, I have to applaud Holmgren for the huge returns he negotiated. Few "salary dumps" work out so well for the dumper.
Yeah how exactly were these "salary dumps" ??
We didn't need to clear cap like we did when we moved Gagne. And it wasn't like they had to move both Carter and Richards to get Bryz. Unlike San Jose moving someone like Ehrhoff to immediately make room for Heatley. Teams get ripped off in Salary Dumps because they have no leverage. Just getting rid of the player is good for the team.
This seemed more like the front office deciding to change the direction of a team that was feuding with itself and playing terrible hockey for an extended stretch.
I think he's been our best player in 2012. He gets from point A to point B in a flash and not without making somebody hurt. Dude was born to wear the jersey.
