I think it would largely depend on who he plays with.

If you have him with Guss that will be trouble. Having him with a bit more of a mobile guy, who will be the one expected to transition play up ice is the best option.
- flyer_nutter

That means Gustafsson or Lauridsen is in the top four. Unless you plan on rotating the pairs.

The AHL is the number one developmental league for the NHL. To say that improvement won't be made, ignores the level of improvement that he's already made playing in the AHL. He's gone from a player that was considered an AHL defenseman, into the NHL picture in the future. Lauridsen needs to work on his anticipation of plays, and his positioning. And his puck handling. He had far too many turnovers for a 3rd pair defensive defenseman who plays low minutes. These are all areas he needs to improve on to be an NHL regular. That can be done in the AHL.
- MJL

He's 24. He's played a lot of hockey. He's getting very close to the benchmark of what you see is what you get. What I see is a guy that's ready to compete for the #6 role. Slotted ahead of gervais. Id like to see him stay up, he's played 20 games? He showed great improvement on that stint

I feel Laviolette is the most to blame, because he used the pieces he had in a manner that exposed their weaknesses, rather than sheltered them.

You can't expect the Dancing Bears to master the Trapeze in the space of a couple weeks. That's what he did. He expected Coburn to be something he's not. Meszaros was hurt. The forwards did a poor job in not only giving the defensemen passing options, but also in backchecking and playing two way hockey.

After the injuries to Coburn and Grossmann and the last one to Meszaros, the Flyers changed their style noticeably. The forwards were tasked to play a much more responsible two way game, and the gap between defense and forwards was reduced, which limited the high risk passes and turnovers.

Had they used the simplified, more responsible system from the start, I think they make the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

I think the forwards were focusing too much on their talent, and not enough on the simple plays that maybe required them to drive the net, or work the corners.

In terms of that defense, even when they were a bit heathy, or had more healthy pieces, they werent good enough no matter what. Lava had them playing a style they couldnt sustain. Mix that in with a forward core that is sub par defensively to begin with and you get trouble.

For what its worth, I dont think too many teams would have had success with that defense. Injured or healthy. Not enough puck movers, or guys that can transition the play.

The right teams made the playoffs imo.

100% agree but I also will give credit to Gus and Oliver b/c they still did a nice job when they could of failed even with the change.
- stveshdy

I have high hopes for Gustafsson. I think he can be a solid NHLer, and he's ready. And I think Lauridsen has a shot as a future 3rd pair physical defenseman in the NHL. But not yet.

100% agree but I also will give credit to Gus and Oliver b/c they still did a nice job when they could of failed even with the change.
- stveshdy

They handled their roles as well as could be expected...even better.

Here's my other question. If Lauridsen and Gustafsson win jobs in camp, what's preventing the Flyers from trading Coburn and/or Meszaros during the season?

Just seems kind of dumb dumping the insurance policy before you're sure the new car will run

That means Gustafsson or Lauridsen is in the top four. Unless you plan on rotating the pairs.
- Jsaquella

No a little more of a platoon, as the Flyers dont really have a key #1 d-man, and I honestly dont know how long Timonen can sustain his play.

Hartnell in a trade for Giordano, and you roll something along the lines of:
Giordano-Schenn
Timonen-Oliver
Guss-Grossman

Timonen will always get his big minutes on PK and special teams.

I think the forwards were focusing too much on their talent, and not enough on the simple plays that maybe required them to drive the net, or work the corners.

In terms of that defense, even when they were a bit heathy, or had more healthy pieces, they werent good enough no matter what. Lava had them playing a style they couldnt sustain. Mix that in with a forward core that is sub par defensively to begin with and you get trouble.

For what its worth, I dont think too many teams would have had success with that defense. Injured or healthy. Not enough puck movers, or guys that can transition the play.

The right teams made the playoffs imo.
- flyer_nutter

When Karlsson went down. Ottawa didn't have a lot of puck movers. If the Flyers played that style, they're in the playoffs. And they would have been one of the right teams. A Coach is responsible for players making the simple plays.

For sure, for sure.

Even with some of my doubts on Brayden Schenn long term, I would rather keep the youth up front, and be willing to part with a guy like Hartnell.
- flyer_nutter

i've seen guys like schenn wake up in another city and become all they were supposed to be and more. richards was always a good def plyr and looked like a guy who was gonna be a solid 3rd liner w/ 2nd line potential. by yr 3, the light went on and he really took a quantum leap.

For sure, for sure.

Even with some of my doubts on Brayden Schenn long term, I would rather keep the youth up front, and be willing to part with a guy like Hartnell.
- flyer_nutter

The forward situation is very interesting. Besides the guys currently on the roster, there are options available potentially ready to fill top 9 spots -McGinn, Laughton, Akeson, and Straka (I'm not including Gagne in this discussion, but defintely a possibility). Basically, there are a decent amount of trade chips available on the roster from experienced and well paid Hartnell, to scratching potential on ELC in B. Schenn and everything in between.

I think a trade is coming.

I have high hopes for Gustafsson. I think he can be a solid NHLer, and he's ready. And I think Lauridsen has a shot as a future 3rd pair physical defenseman in the NHL. But not yet.
- MJL

Gus is my boy. When he was recalled the second time around he was a completely different player.

Haha nahh, I still rolling with the new approach.

Ignore those who do nothing to contribute to an enjoyable hockeybuzz experience.
- flyer_nutter

Good advice in general

Did we get weber yet?

They handled their roles as well as could be expected...even better.

Here's my other question. If Lauridsen and Gustafsson win jobs in camp, what's preventing the Flyers from trading Coburn and/or Meszaros during the season?

Just seems kind of dumb dumping the insurance policy before you're sure the new car will run
- Jsaquella

I've said that the Flyers will probably go that route. I posted my projected defensive pairings.

Also, there's no need to worry b/c we all know this team will get injured on the blue-line anyways.

They handled their roles as well as could be expected...even better.

Here's my other question. If Lauridsen and Gustafsson win jobs in camp, what's preventing the Flyers from trading Coburn and/or Meszaros during the season?

Just seems kind of dumb dumping the insurance policy before you're sure the new car will run
- Jsaquella

Never dumping Coburn for chum change. Under the right deal, which I think can be found.

I also wouldnt be suprised to see Coburn outplay Guss and Oliver in training camp, but its looking at the future, not the immediate impact of next season. I do think the time is best for Oliver now.

I think the forwards were focusing too much on their talent, and not enough on the simple plays that maybe required them to drive the net, or work the corners.

In terms of that defense, even when they were a bit heathy, or had more healthy pieces, they werent good enough no matter what. Lava had them playing a style they couldnt sustain. Mix that in with a forward core that is sub par defensively to begin with and you get trouble.

For what its worth, I dont think too many teams would have had success with that defense. Injured or healthy. Not enough puck movers, or guys that can transition the play.

The right teams made the playoffs imo.
- flyer_nutter

The simple fact that they finished strong after Laviolette simplified the system shows that they were fully capable of being a top 8 team in the east.

The trouble with saying not lot of teams would have had success with that defense corps ignores that two teams made the playoffs with similar or worse defense corps. Ottawa basically had a 40 year old Gonchar playing 25 minutes a night with Chris Phillips and 4 AHL defensemen. The Isles had Streit and Vishnovsky and a bunch of journeymen.

The difference is that their coaches didn't wait-they recognized and adapted.

Never dumping Coburn for chum change. Under the right deal, which I think can be found.

I also wouldnt be suprised to see Coburn outplay Guss and Oliver in training camp, but its looking at the future, not the immediate impact of next season. I do think the time is best for Oliver now.
- flyer_nutter

I don't know if Oliver is ready or not but he will have his chance to prove it this summer. If your good enough to win a job than you have to put him on the roster.

He's 24. He's played a lot of hockey. He's getting very close to the benchmark of what you see is what you get. What I see is a guy that's ready to compete for the #6 role. Slotted ahead of gervais. Id like to see him stay up, he's played 20 games? He showed great improvement on that stint
- Just5

'oliver' is very raw. made lots of mistakes that can be corrected w/o the glare of the NHL lights that can crush a young dman's confidence. a guy w/ limited skill like that needs the slower game to put things together. won't reach his peak until ~ 27-28 w/ his skill set. that's the track record for guys like him.

i've seen guys like schenn wake up in another city and become all they were supposed to be and more. richards was always a good def plyr and looked like a guy who was gonna be a solid 3rd liner w/ 2nd line potential. by yr 3, the light went on and he really took a quantum leap.
- isaiah520

Meh, my biggest knock on Schenn has been the questionable defensive game. Which he came to Philly with.

I think that forward core has too many guys with questionable defensive games, and many of those players arrived here with those question marks already.

Next year is a big one for Schenn, needs to step up.

I've said that the Flyers will probably go that route. I posted my projected defensive pairings.

Also, there's no need to worry b/c we all know this team will get injured on the blue-line anyways.
- stveshdy

That's why I don't rush to trade anyone. There's injury questions with Grossmann and Meszaros. Coburn should be ready for the start of camp. Hell, even Gus has some injury concerns. Why thin the group?

I don't know if Oliver is ready or not but he will have his chance to prove it this summer. If your good enough to win a job than you have to put him on the roster.
- stveshdy

Getting great experience in the WHC.

Would be nice for them have a couple of kids actually pan out from that back end.

Never dumping Coburn for chum change. Under the right deal, which I think can be found.

I also wouldnt be suprised to see Coburn outplay Guss and Oliver in training camp, but its looking at the future, not the immediate impact of next season. I do think the time is best for Oliver now.
- flyer_nutter

Not sure how playing 20+ minutes a night in the AHL, with NHL callups throughout the year hurts the long term future of Lauridsen or the Flyers.

Damn.. I really thought the Isle's would of took that series to 7. Here we go Ottawa, i guess.

That's why I don't rush to trade anyone. There's injury questions with Grossmann and Meszaros. Coburn should be ready for the start of camp. Hell, even Gus has some injury concerns. Why thin the group?
- Jsaquella

The Flyers don't have to. Only problem I have is the inconsistent play by the blue-line. The Flyers were a better team down the stretch and that could be credited to the coach making adjustments, young kids playing better on the blue-line, or a combo of both.

I personally don't want to give away Coburn or Mez but I keep the option open of moving one if the right deal comes across b/c neither player has been consistent enough for me to say "we have to keep this guy".

The simple fact that they finished strong after Laviolette simplified the system shows that they were fully capable of being a top 8 team in the east.

The trouble with saying not lot of teams would have had success with that defense corps ignores that two teams made the playoffs with similar or worse defense corps. Ottawa basically had a 40 year old Gonchar playing 25 minutes a night with Chris Phillips and 4 AHL defensemen. The Isles had Streit and Vishnovsky and a bunch of journeymen.

The difference is that their coaches didn't wait-they recognized and adapted.
- Jsaquella

The thing with Ottawa, is they had unreal goaltending. Part of that is team defense, but I dont buy into that as much. Ottawa had quite a few breakdowns, but the goaltending bailed them out time, and time again.

I know a lot of the blame is put on the Flyers style of play, but I think a lot of it had to do with forwards finally buying in to playing both sides of the ice. That forward core has a lot to blame, and far too often they were butchered along the boards, or made really stupid fancy plays.

The one adjustment of having the forwards not run into the zone so willy nilly needed to be made much sooner. It was one pass off the boards, and a rush the other way for the other team. A lot of that to me though, is winning the battles that there is a chance at winning. The Flyers lacked in those.

That's why I don't rush to trade anyone. There's injury questions with Grossmann and Meszaros. Coburn should be ready for the start of camp. Hell, even Gus has some injury concerns. Why thin the group?
- Jsaquella

I think the pursuit of improving the blueline will happen again this offseason, so even if they buy out Briere and potentially Bryz, I believe there will be a thinning on the blueline to shed some additional salary.