I see there are people who aren't happy about the Richards signing
Previous failures (Gomez, Drury and co.) will do that to some.
Dont have a problem with a 9 year deal. In reality it's a 6 year deal with 3 years tacked on to reduce the cap hit. Full NMC is a tough 1 to slow. Like the move to add Richards, he fits couple needs (top line player and a power play threath).
It's all about how strong you are on your feet/skates. If Thomas can stay strong on his feet he won't get knocked around as much as other small guys would.
Hockey sense/IQ plays a big part too... How often have you seen Claude Giroux get crushed the way Petr Prucha would? Hardly ever. Giroux thinks the game well. He knows how to read the play out on the ice.... Parise is the same way... Not a big guy, but takes care of business on the ice even in the tough areas of the ice.
Thomas said he's gained 7lbs already. He'll fill out and be fine if his skating and skills are good enough. His dad played at 5'11 185 and I never thought of him as a small player. Christian will play at roughly the same size. 5'10 180. Not much different than cally
I'd put Zuccs on the 2nd line with AA and Cally. Especiallt if y if Zucc's skating improves (like he is working on all offseason), he could easily make the 2nd line still very effective.
If Underhill can make the same difference for Zucc that she did for Boyle last year, he might have a shot at the 2nd line, but honestly, I don't see it. Z is better as a RW and really has shown nothing to warrant a top six spot. I'd rather put him on the third line with feds and steps.
I still say we should bring back Prospal for a final season and keep the pack line intact. I think these lines are probably our best option, even if they don't include our best possible first line.
If Underhill can make the same difference for Zucc that she did for Boyle last year, he might have a shot at the 2nd line, but honestly, I don't see it. Z is better as a RW and really has shown nothing to warrant a top six spot. I'd rather put him on the third line with feds and steps.
I still say we should bring back Prospal for a final season and keep the pack line intact. I think these lines are probably our best option, even if they don't include our best possible first line.
Thomas isn't going to stick around as a healthy scratch. Either he'll make the top nine, or he'll go back to juniors. Given Leslie's reports on his strength, he's probably headed back to the O. I don't really see much of a spot for Zucc either. I'm thinking:
I was under the impression Thomas is a pure sniper with a great release to score goals.
Didn't know he was a great skater also..
There are a good amount of 5'10" 180 lbs players in the NHL. He is only 19 years old so I assume he will at least be that size when he plays in the NHL.
Flyers fan coming in peace. I think BR puts you into contention for the top seed in the Atlantic. Excellent signing and great cap hit for a player of his calibre. Best of luck this year.
Flyers fan coming in peace. I think BR puts you into contention for the top seed in the Atlantic. Excellent signing and great cap hit for a player of his calibre. Best of luck this year.
I don't think you have to say you're coming in peace if you're telling us the team could do something the team hasn't done since 1994, but I digress. Thanks for the kind words.
Flyers fan coming in peace. I think BR puts you into contention for the top seed in the Atlantic. Excellent signing and great cap hit for a player of his calibre. Best of luck this year.
Thanks
We sure hope your right, it would be nice to try to contend for the atlantic since its been so long, its going to be quite the race with us, the pens and your team all season..
Flyers fan coming in peace. I think BR puts you into contention for the top seed in the Atlantic. Excellent signing and great cap hit for a player of his calibre. Best of luck this year.
Aloha. Just curious, do you watch Flyers games at 2pm, or do you DVR them and watch them in the evening? lol
I don't see how people can hate the Richards signing. The cap hit is good, the term is bad at first glance. When you analyze the years more, you can see that the last 3 years are essentially worthless. Now I've never seen confirmation yet (perhaps I haven't been looking) on a limited or full NMC/NTC. If there is a full NMC, we can buy him out later, but then we're in the same position as Drury, Redden, etc. The contract itself is smart and stupid. It's smart in the sense that we now have roughly a 4-year window to at least compete to win a Stanley Cup. But there's still plenty of work to be done. If these next few years are failures as usual, then we are pissed off from that as is, and will have to deal with ******** regarding Richard's declining production (which is almost assured).
But as a Ranger fan, at least now, you've got to like the deal.
Flyers fan coming in peace. I think BR puts you into contention for the top seed in the Atlantic. Excellent signing and great cap hit for a player of his calibre. Best of luck this year.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?!
Thank you very much for being a good sport and a good all around fan of the GAME.
