When did we become softies?

Is it just me or are we demonstrating a serious lack of physical play on all of our lines except the obvious 4th (which would have no purpose in life without physical play).

We were physical with Carolina in the first game of the season, and then it was like "ok, now we're just going to play soft and positionally" even though the physical play is part of the reason we shutout Carolina 4-0.

Don't tell me the Gomez, Gionta, Parise, Elias, and Langenbrunner can't be physical, because I've watched them for long enough that they can be plenty physical when they want to be. Especially Elias who when he's playing hard delivers surprisingly hard checks.

The only line I've been really happy with in terms of physical play (aside from the bovious 4th) is Madden's line, and that's mostly because Brylin is ALWAYS playing hard (he's a damn energizer bunny) while Madden and Pando do what they always do with a good mix of physicality and position. I always get a good laugh when I visit another team's board after a game and they are dumbfounded as to why their best line had a bad night after being matched to these guys.

I don't want to complain too much since it's early in the season and I know we typically don't bring the most physical aspects of our game until later and in the playoffs, but it just seems that we are playing really soft right now.

I think a lot of emphasis was on speed and tempo in the new NHL, and I think physical play is a critical part of the tempo aspect.

Although, many of the players you mentioned are what you would call non physical types, I believe it has more to do with the new NHL. They want less physical play and more skating. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for the playoffs to watch real hitting again. And if it makes you feel better, Ed Snider swears he's bringing back the old Flyers, new NHL or not.

Although, many of the players you mentioned are what you would call non physical types, I believe it has more to do with the new NHL. They want less physical play and more skating. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for the playoffs to watch real hitting again. And if it makes you feel better, Ed Snider swears he's bringing back the old Flyers, new NHL or not.
"Lace 'em up Clarke!"

Well the rivalry was good while it lasted I guess.

I don't think we need Gomez, Gionta, Elias, Parise and Langenbrunner throwing their bodies around too freely. It's a long season.

I would like to point out that hitting was up in 2005-06 over the pre-lockout season of 2003-04. Many try to say that the new NHL doesn't have as much hitting, but that is false. Fighting may have gone down, though I honestly don't have the statistics to compare pre and post lockout seasons, but hitting was up because teams couldn't grab or interfer with opposing attackers.

I don't think we need Gomez, Gionta, Elias, Parise and Langenbrunner throwing their bodies around too freely. It's a long season.

I would like to point out that hitting was up in 2005-06 over the pre-lockout season of 2003-04. Many try to say that the new NHL doesn't have as much hitting, but that is false. Fighting may have gone down, though I honestly don't have the statistics to compare pre and post lockout seasons, but hitting was up because teams couldn't grab or interfer with opposing attackers.

Um, they didn't use hit statistics in 03-04, so how would you know?

Um, they didn't use hit statistics in 03-04, so how would you know?Did the league keep track of them?

The more hitting means more penalties IMHO especially in the new NHL

The more hitting means more penalties IMHO especially in the new NHL

It also means controlling the tempo and providing a way to hang with teams full of smaller, faster skaters.

Best example of this is Buffalo- if you can beat them physically you can beat them in the game. Don't try to tell me about the flyers as a counter-example, since they haven't played very physically since before the lockout, plus even with the physical advantage, it wouldn't be enough to make up for their pylon defensemen.

"The more hitting means more penalties IMHO especially in the new NHL"

They don't call clean hits as penalties....look at that hit on the guy on the flyers last year...nearly killed him....no penalty! They only call holding and clutching and grabbing(which reduces big open ice hits because everyone is slowed down). A faster game = faster harder hits.