Nope, not all on Laviolette. But I'm more of the mindset that tries putting the kid with talented players and see if that helps. It's not like Briere's earninghis 15 minutes of ice time. At worst, Couturier could be as ineffective as Briere between Schenn and Simmonds.
- Jsaquella

I thought Gagne would help him along and maybe get his confidence back...looked good in Gags first game but hasn't since. Briere is just pitiful to watch anymore

very cool
- nastyflyergirl

I thought Gagne would help him along and maybe get his confidence back...looked good in Gags first game but hasn't since. Briere is just pitiful to watch anymore
- aantny88

Gags is probably just getting his legs back, running on adrenaline in that first game. Don't think he's done, but he hasn't played regularly in awhile.

My thing is, if Briere was doing anything beside casting a shadow on the ice, I'd be fine with Couturier on the 4th line.

Their defense is also much better than the Flyers is, and they have some fairly young to--4 guys (Fowler, Sbisa) to help offset the veterans' cap hits. That's been the Flyers top problem; they keep bandaiding the situation, never actually going for a full rebuild, and because of that, when the cupboard runs bare, you run out of bandaids.
- jmatchett

I would consider the Richards and Carter trades of a rebuilding nature. I honestly think with a few pieces, this team will come out next year and easily challenge for a conference title.

Edit: Conference in reference to the realignment.

We should make him a Blue or a Bruin
- Jsaquella

if there is a choice (which I doubt) then send him west

Gags is probably just getting his legs back, running on adrenaline in that first game. Don't think he's done, but he hasn't played regularly in awhile.

My thing is, if Briere was doing anything beside casting a shadow on the ice, I'd be fine with Couturier on the 4th line.
- Jsaquella

They need to trade Briere...plain and simple. Not worth that cap hit, especially considering the playoffs are looking less and less likely.

if there is a choice (which I doubt) then send him west
- Marc D

Those are the only two teams that have been rumored by name. Given the choice, I'd trade him to Timbuktu.

They need to trade Briere...plain and simple. Not worth that cap hit, especially considering the playoffs are looking less and less likely.
- aantny88

They also face an issue next year, with a glut of centers and a need for cap space.

They also face an issue next year, with a glut of centers and a need for cap space.
- Jsaquella

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out...G, B. Schenn, Couts, Talbot and Laughton all centers, though Talbot gets used on the wing a lot. I wonder if Laughton is bait just due to number of centers on the team.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out...G, B. Schenn, Couts, Talbot and Laughton all centers, though Talbot gets used on the wing a lot. I wonder if Laughton is bait just due to number of centers on the team.
- aantny88

I'd say anyone not named Giroux would be available for the right price.

I'm not totally against moving Couturier, but they have to get good value for him. Same goes for any of them, but he's the piece that should have the most value.

if there is a choice (which I doubt) then send him west
- Marc D

where he'll have a 14% greater chance of making the playoffs next season. mind numbing, the nhl leadership at times. mind. numbing.

I'd say anyone not named Giroux would be available for the right price.

I'm not totally against moving Couturier, but they have to get good value for him. Same goes for any of them, but he's the piece that should have the most value.
- Jsaquella

I would package him for a top tier puck moving dman in a heartbeat, especially if Laughton can make the jump next year. I only hope this year hasn't decreased Couturier's value.

where he'll have a 14% greater chance of making the playoffs next season. mind numbing, the nhl leadership at times. mind. numbing.
- hammarby31

Did you hear if 8 teams from both still make it? If so that is sad that 14 teams get eight spots and so do 16. I read about the "wild card" idea but there weren't many specifics.

where he'll have a 14% greater chance of making the playoffs next season. mind numbing, the nhl leadership at times. mind. numbing.
- hammarby31

Nonsense
Hockey
League

where he'll have a 14% greater chance of making the playoffs next season. mind numbing, the nhl leadership at times. mind. numbing.
- hammarby31

it's mindscrambling really.

it's mindscrambling really.
- wilsonecho91

hurts so good.

My one worry with Philly's losing ways is that Management does something stupid and desperate before the end. Look at the Ducks last year. Horrible start, but great team. This year, same players, a little more matured youth and they are 2nd in the league in points. We need to focus on learning, on getting better and maybe for the first time drop some of the win or else pressure.

I think our best chance for the future is to try and make the playoffs but not to trade our Youth & Captains who are slumping a bit. We have the talent, but we need to let them hone the discipline.
- flyler

Didn't they hire Boudreau mid-season last year? So this is his first full year as coach? ...or maybe he was hired 2 seasons ago.

wooooooooooooooo



I always remember Briere as a pest and hard player to defend. What's going on with him? Has he lost IT?

Is the answer Jesus?

hurts so good.
- hammarby31

btw, Frank Brimsek would have been closer to stopping Nash's first goal and the game winner yesterday than either of our current tenders.

wooooooooooooooo



I always remember Briere as a pest and hard player to defend. What's going on with him? Has he lost IT?
- Orpik44

he misses playing in Germany.

"The playoff format calls for the top three teams in each division to earn postseason berths. The remaining four spots would go to wild cards, the top two records in each conference. That means there's a possibility five teams make it from one division and only three from another."

I'm not in love with it.

"The playoff format calls for the top three teams in each division to earn postseason berths. The remaining four spots would go to wild cards, the top two records in each conference. That means there's a possibility five teams make it from one division and only three from another."

I'm not in love with it.
- FlyersGrace

Apparently they are keeping the East and West too. I'd rather just have a reseeded final four type deal.

btw, Frank Brimsek would have been closer to stopping Nash's first goal and the game winner yesterday than either of our current tenders.


- wilsonecho91

His lateral movement hasn't been so good since he died

His lateral movement hasn't been so good since he died
- Jsaquella

I firmly believe he rolled over in his grave after watching that game...