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 | Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast |
 aetherial writes "As much as these two teams, and their fans, love to hate each other, and have since the 70’s lets look at some similarities in the fans, the teams, their current situations… a little "compare and contrast" if you will...
The Leafs are perhaps the grittiest, cheapest, nastiest team in the League. I doubt there is a team that other teams enjoy playing less than The Leafs. The Flyers have owned that distinction many times over the years. I am quite certain that the most beloved Flyer teams ever were the Broadstreet Bullies teams from the 70’s! Both team’s fans love the game that way! Both team’s fans support the team with rabid faith. The Leaf team, and a lot of Leaf fans LOVE the fact that everyone hates them… sounds familiar to Philadelphia I bet :)
Finances:
Even the cities are similar in size. The greater Toronto area is around 5 million. I think Philly is similar? I think the money behind the Leaf ownership is greater overall but the Flyer’s income is primarily in USD! Neither team has any concerns of going bankrupt; ever. Flyers salary from NHLPA players... approx 57.7 mil, Leafs salary approx. 53.5 mil.
Flyers: 1.25 pts / Million
Leafs: 1.29 pts / Million
(Geeze does Leclair, Primeau Recchi ever hurt the Flyers payroll!!)
General Managers:
Different approaches. Clarke is more willing to trade. Similar mannerisms though. Both are tough, former players. Both are outspoken. They may have different approaches, necessitated in some ways by different situations. Neither is a dummy though. (despite what people think)
Current Standings:
Philadelphia is 3 points up after the same number of games but team +/- favors the Leafs by 14.
Slumps:
Both teams have had nasty Slumps. The Leafs at the beginning of the year. The Flyers a month or so later and then a mini scoring slump recently. (injuries!)
Coaching:
Hitch***** has the Flyers playing more disciplined and despite having scored 25 fewer goals, they have more points. Quinn on the other hand has the player’s loyalty more I think. Hitch*****’s team will be more disciplined over time until his *act* runs out. Quinn’s team will stick together more until they all kill each other and everything around them in a big nuclear meltdown!
Goaltending: Cechmanek 21W 13L 7T 2.03 GAA .917 SP, Belfour 27W 15L 3T 2.09 GAA .928 SP. Belfour has a large edge in playoff history and experience.
Top two young players on team: Simon Gagne and Justin Williams (3.1 Mil total) vs. Nik Antropov and Tomas Kaberle (2.4 mil total). Pretty much a saw off. Edge to Leafs because of injuries right now and Gagne having an off season. Probably all 4 are untouchable in any trades.
Top two youngsters in system: Wywotchika (sp?) and Pitkanen (sp?) vs. Colaiacovo & Boyes. Edge to Philadelphia, maybe a very large edge.
Philly has an edge in draft picks including a very nice one from Phoenix this year! Toronto has maybe a bit more depth of young prospects to offer.
So I see similar cities, similar fans, similar support, similar records, similar teams, similar finances and some offsetting strengths and weaknesses. I see offsetting assets to be traded possibly also.
Both teams feel they are a player, probably two, away from serious contention. I believe both teams are right!
If one makes a deal, the other one will also. For the most part, they are looking for the same things and looking at the same players. Look for BOTH to make significant trades this year :)
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| "Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast" | Login/Create an Account | 80 comments |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by saiklo on Tuesday, February 18 @ 17:55:33 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I cannot wait to see the negative, personal attacks that this article generates!
We should be discussing about how these are two of the notorious "big-spenders" that have grossly overpaid, and over-valued, many players in this league.
Maybe the reason they cannot win a cup is that the hockey gods are punishing them for contributing to the slow death of the world's greatest game! |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by Tradedude (edbelfourfan@hotmail.com) on Tuesday, February 18 @ 18:30:44 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | this 1 is gunna be filled wif LOTS of comments and *****ing. o well, could be fun 2 watch |
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another similarity..... (Score: 1)
by jammer21 (doug_weight_is_a_god@blues.com) on Tuesday, February 18 @ 19:32:58 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | cups won by either team in the lifetime of 99% of subscribers of this site..................ZERO!!! |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by keon on Tuesday, February 18 @ 19:37:59 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | The Flyers' problem is that they have too many chiefs and not enough indians on that team. Everybody wants to score the goals, and be the hero. It's just a matter of time before they turn on Hitch just like they did with Barber. |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by Aetherial on Tuesday, February 18 @ 19:55:56 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Not sure why this would generate personal attacks or animosity?
Hell these are just my opinions. They are not rudely stated, they are not far off the mark either. I gave edges to the Flyers and edges to the Leafs.
I also think my conclusions about where they are now; in similar situations, is accurate.
So what would be the problem. There was no personal attack on anyone here?
I guess we'll see :(
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by Aetherial on Tuesday, February 18 @ 20:05:41 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Before anyone else goes spouting off about Williams / Gagne vs. Antropov / Kaberle
Points per game...
Antropov .7
Kaberle .586
Williams .575
Gagne .571
Adjusted for the overall team scoring ratio (which is NOT entirely fair) and they are still close even considering Kaberle is a defenseman!
Antropov .568
Kaberle .476
Given the choice I would take Antropov & Kaberle because Kaberle is a top 2 defenseman and Antropov is onlygetting better each game it seems!
Anyway, Just MHO! |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by mikster on Tuesday, February 18 @ 20:10:17 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Woywtika!!!!
I think the Flyers are better when it comes to skills, however, the Leafs are a true playoff team. They have more heart, a much better goalie that can qin a game by himself, and they have the toughness and skill up front as well.
I think Quinn may go for Nolan, and that would push them to an extent where they can definitely make the Finals and win the Cup.
As for youngsters in the system, the Leafs are better than the Flyers.
Leafs have highly rated prospects in Colaiacovo, Steen, Boyes, Stajan, and a better goalie in Todd Ford instead of Tellqvist.
The Flyers don't have much other than Pitkanen, Woywitka, and Niittymaki. Seidenbrg in an NHL'er now, so he is out of that group.
Leafs have a brighter future than other people think.
Cities, i passed through Philly 3 times...and it looks like an ugly city in New Jersey, and what isn't ugly in NJ anyway?
Toronto, i spent just 3 days in there...loved every hour of it. |
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To be honest... (Score: 1)
by titans on Tuesday, February 18 @ 20:34:47 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | To be honest I think the Leafs are a better overall team than the Flyers. Better goalie right now. A little more goal scoring, somewhat better D-men, and more heart and leadership. As of today if the Flyers and Leafs were to meet in the playoffs I think the Leafs would mop the floor with the Flyers! |
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:46:42 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:46:48 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:46:53 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:00 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:06 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:12 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:20 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:21 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Leafanatic on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:47:28 MST
- Re: To be honest... by Aetherial on Wednesday, February 19 @ 07:52:20 MST
- Re: To be honest... by TML51 on Wednesday, February 19 @ 11:10:53 MST
- Hey Titans! by amazing_jesse on Wednesday, February 19 @ 14:07:24 MST
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by calflyers on Tuesday, February 18 @ 20:35:48 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | i think both teams have a lot in common.
Solid every year, tradition, loyal fans.
There are few differences though,
# 1 The Flyers finally have a coach "who has a clue".
#2 Clarke is not afraid to "look for ways to improve the team". Quinn doesn't seem to want to "take chances".
btw
(for me at least)
i only had a prob with "Leaf_Novice" (one more for old times sake!)
the juvenile language and "self rightousness" just "wore old", and something had to be *done* : )
other than that, i'll say "hang in there Leaf fans!"
if the Flyers don't win, it wouldn't "kill me" to see Toronto win.
(i know, "how nice of me" huh?)
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by chaosNYI on Tuesday, February 18 @ 20:47:17 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Being an Islander fan, personally i hate both teams (although i am a huge fan of Alex Mogilny). Speaking as a hockey fan though, i think that both teams are similarly amazing on the ice. Both have great scorer/finesse players (Sundin, Mogilny, Roberts as well as Roenick, Leclair and Recchi) They both have a tough team when they want to play defensive (Domi, Tucker, Brashear, Primeau).
The greatest similarity of the two is the all-star caliber goaltending that both teams posses in Belfour and Cechmanek. The only huge difference between both teams to me is the position in the standings. |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by orangestreak73 on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:08:09 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I'm a Flyers fan, and I'd have to say it is very close. The Leafs have done better in the playoffs lately compared to the Flyers, but the Flyers have the most recent Stanley Cup appearance (97). But looking at the present, I'd say Toronto is doing much better because they are playing like a team. It's going to take more than 1 season for Hitch***** to make the Flyers play as a well oiled machine they are capable of being (but a playoff run this season isn't out of the question). As for the actual teams, the Leafs are better at getting you off your game with guys like Tucker and Domi (especially vs. the Islanders last season). The Flyers play a cleaner style than the Leafs (which usually hurts the Flyers come playoff time). Teams are not intimidated by the Flyers anymore since they do not get into the opponent's face like they did in the 70's.
My opinion on each team getting over the playoff "hump" would be:
Leafs - get more aggressive and punish the opponents; the Leafs have to show they can fight back vs. teams like the Devils.
Flyers - take advantage of the powerplay and don't go into a defensive shell; put constant pressure on the opponent.
Whichever team can accomplish the above goals will make it further in the playoffs. And the way it looks, it may be settled between the two teams in the first round of the playoffs. |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by LEAFS4EVER on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:14:03 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Great unbiased article, you bring out excellent observations. Imagine Quinn as the Coach and Clarke as the GM on the same team!!!
What a friggin combo!!!! |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by amazing_jesse on Tuesday, February 18 @ 22:30:52 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Thanks for this article - awesome finally someone put the two against one another.
I am drunk right now so this should be fun. I am amazed I can type.
Traditonally, I should hate the Flyers because of the rivalries going back into the seventies, but in reality, the Leafs were dismal under Ballard so I am completely jealous of Filly. I love Clarke, Barber, Leach, Parent, Dornhoffer, Schultz, Van Impe, Favell, Watson, etc. etc. in some sort of a wierd distant, introverted way.
I also love Filly fans. Much like I am a Bills fan. They are nasty and fun.
BUT I HATE TITANS!
He antagonizes Leafs fans and for that that I think all Leafs fans should shove every single one of his snide, ignorant remarks about the Leafs right back into his face!
Titans is a loser and because of his antagonism of the Leafs and their fans over the past few years (despite their obvious superiority over the Flyers) I think all Leafs fans should jump all over every one of his ignorant comments and flush out his stupidity.
So there Titans. Your Flyers are going out the first round.
And your goalie sucks. Oh my god does your goalie suck!!!!! |
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Don't really care about this post but... (Score: 1)
by pop0331 on Tuesday, February 18 @ 23:49:20 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | How all you Flyer fans feeling about not beating the Devils AGAIN? I know, I know you tied, but you had us beat and let us slip in there! Oh it hurt s doesn't it? And to Mikster, come down the Jersey shore anytime you like and I'll make sure you "love" every minute of getting your teeth knocked out! |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by Tony on Wednesday, February 19 @ 10:23:43 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Both teams are close to being in the cream of the crop of the league, but just aren't there yet. |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by flyersruleclarkstillsucks (hickroo.com) on Wednesday, February 19 @ 11:06:41 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | that whole leafs team is full of loser, whinners, *****es, the only winning on that team is sundin and he can't wait to get out of there! darcy tucker is a ***** who needs to hit people when their not looking, domi a loser who got his ass beat by a flyers fan two years ago, pat quinn cries about everything that fat pig, (hitch***** is not fat he's big boned), and it looks like we will play them in the first round and it won't even be close, flyers in 5! and maybe the leafs will then fire that fat ass quinn, but i'am sure he'll whinned about that too, that big baby! of course the will only beat the leafs in the playoffs if clarke makes a big trade, also, why do these players clarke trades for score in their first game with the flyers, but never scores again! |
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Great piece (Score: 1)
by MantaRay on Wednesday, February 19 @ 15:59:19 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) |
This was a great piece and probably a long time in coming. I would LOVE to see these guys meet in the playoffs. Fireworks galore on and off the ice. |
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Re: Leafs and Flyers - Compare and Contrast (Score: 1)
by calflyers on Wednesday, February 19 @ 21:06:04 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Is "Leaf_Expert" now known as "amazing_jessie" ??
hmmmmm
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