No matter what the rule changes actually change, every team will still need a large defensemen to clear the crease on the power play, or any other time throughout the game. Kim Johnsson, Eric Desjardins, Joni Pitkanen, and Dennis Seidenberg are never going to be that player. Hatcher and Rathje can be. They will not be expected to score 35 points, or even start rushes from their own end. They are there to play defense. Why is this so hard to understand? And on top of that, they will not be paired together. Its likely that one will be with Johnsson, and the other with Pitkanen, defensemen that are fast enough to make up for Hatcher or Rathje.

Bringing in Hatcher is a great fit. He is just the kind of defensemen that will be liked by the fans here. Also, he already knows all the ins and outs of Hitch*****s system, so he can step right in. His best years were under Hitch, and I dont think that is a coincidence.

Likewise, Rathje will simply need to play his game. He doesnt need to be Hatcher, or Stevens, or a player like Neidermayer. He brings stability to the Flyers blueline.

Seidenberg, Pitkanen, and Johnsson are three of the fastest skating defensemen I have ever seen. The Flyers will be fine. Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not lashing out at you in particular, but this was just a good opening to put this.

Forsberg has also had some weird injuries. A ruptured spleen? Come on, you can’t seriously expect anything like that to happen again. He says he is healthy, so one can only hope for the best.

And at least i have yet to see anything regarding the yearly “goaltending situation.” Because there isnt one.

I think Pittsburgh will score more than 250 goals easily, but their defense will also let up about 200 or more. We’ll See!