Steve “I Own You” Downie…. And the State of the Flyers
Posted by Dids on January 29, 2008
My first contribution to this wonderful website just has to be about Steve Downie. I mean, seriously, is there a badder m f’er out there right now? Seriously, who comes back from this…..
Not only comes back, but handles business?
Eat shit Ryan Stone. Eat my shit. And can Laraque do anything but take runs at other players? Didn’t think so. Downie took it like a man, then showed how he rolls. What a stud. Ask David Clarkson how his eye is. Or Jason Blake. Or Hugh Jessiman. And of course, Dean McAmmond still doesn’t know who he is. Congratulations, losers, you have been Downied.
But hey, its the All Star break, so lets talk about where the Flyers stand about halfway through the season. Is it a coincidence that since Downie got called up on January 4th, the Flyers have gone 8-2-1? Or that Scott Hartnell, who had 6 goals in the previous 37 games, has scored 10 in the past 11 since he has been put on a line with Downie and Mike Richards? Speaking of studs, oh that Richards….
The Flyers are currently second in the Eastern Conference behind Ottawa, and tied with the Devils at the top of the Atlantic Division. If they can add Peter Forsberg…. bring it on Detroit. Not only will I be able to break out my Forsberg jersey again (although I just pretend its a Jason Smith jersey), the Flyers will be a legit contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Should the Flyers shake up their lines and risk messing with team chemistry to bring in Peter the Great? Hell yes.
If there aren’t any more injuries, and there probably will be, where do you put Forsberg? Here’s my opinion, a.k.a. the correct one:
- Line 1: Gagne / Briere / Lupul
- Line 2: Carter / Forsberg / Knuble
- Line 3: Downie / Richards / Hartnell
- Line 4: Upshall / Kapanen / Dowd / Cote / Boulerice / Umberger
Boulerice and Cote are interchangable. Dowd in my opinion gets sent to the Phantoms (already cleared waivers). That leaves R.J. at center, Jesse or Riley on one side, Scottie or Sami on the other. Maybe you trade one, or use a healthy scratch for added depth come playoff time.
This gives you four lines that can contribute. And remember, once the regular season ends, Denis Gauthier will be available on defense as well. This team can go deep into the playoffs. Just imagine adding Forsberg to the Flyers power play, which is already the best in the league? They will score at will.
I’ll leave you with this amazing quote on the possibility of signing Forsberg that sums my entire argument up perfectly:
“The way I look at it is if you’re going to the OK Corral and you can bring an extra gun, why wouldn’t you?” – Flyers G.M. Paul Holmgren
Go Flyers.
