Actually, I kinda agree with you on Schenn vs. Couturier. Actually, even though Laughton is not / will never be as good as Coots, I like the mix of Schenn/Laughton + assets acquired for Coots better than the mix of Coots/Laughton+whatever assets you get for Schenn.

And a small factor is keeping Schenn brothers together. Having Brayden around was possibly a small component of Luke's huge step forward this year.
- TheGreat28

If both B Schenn and Couturier both meet their potential. Couturier will be the better all around player by a significant margin.

I kind of envision him being a Rod Brind'Amour in Chris Gratton's body.
- Tomahawk

With Brindy's strength?

And definitely not Gratton's motivation!

I've been a strong advocate of the "Do Not Trade Couturier" stance. He's far, far too valuable a piece.

It would take a Subban, Pietrangelo or Doughty type for me to even consider the notion.

I've likened him to Patrice Bergeron, and stand by that. We'll see how the offensive game develops. But he should be part of a shutdown 3rd line this year (which is an upgrade from where he was 5-on-5 last season).
- bradleyc4

Imagine if we tanked all of our games this season when we knew we would not make the playoffs, we would be talking about who to get with our top 5-6 pick instead of 11th....
- MrBigglesworth

Definitely the attitude to instill in this young team.

i was half joking - i don't want to trade either, i thought gus should've been on the roster since game 1 - over gervais and foster.
- flyersfan51

Wait... i am really confused.

You wouldnt trade Gus and Coots for Kane and Bogo?

Wait... i am really confused.

You wouldnt trade Gus and Coots for Kane and Bogo?
- jak521

He'd do half the trade. He'd trade tafsson and urier for ne and gosian

If both B Schenn and Couturier both meet their potential. Couturier will be the better all around player by a significant margin.
- MJL

I guess I'll just disagree on the significant margin part. B Schenn was, and still is, regarded as a player with a very very high ceiling. He just needs to get a lot closer to his potential this year, whereas Couturier has a couple of more years to reach it.

People keep saying they are 5-6 players away, blah blah... Well how do you expect to get those 5-6 players unless you go out and get them.
- youarewrong

My main issue with this line of thinking is that using Couturier to fill one of those 5-6 holes opens a different hole, that of "top defensive center," which is pretty hard to fill itself.

If you have 5 holes, move a guy to fill one, and open a different one, what do you have? 5 holes. Only now, you have an older guy, who'll leave sooner, opening an additional hole faster.

Exactly! You definitely need a Brayden Schenn and one of Couturier or Laughton type player. Personally I feel we wasted a first round pick on Laughton. We officially put pressure on a kid that I feel we could have scooped up in later rounds. Could I be wrong with my assessment, I could very well be but we won't know until they're all playing (Laughton included).
- dingo8urbaby

The asked NHL scouts to reasses last year's draft and where they think that the player taken last year, would be taken if that draft was done over. Laughton moved up to the 10th pick. So It might be just a tad early to state that they wasted a draft pick on Laughton.

My main issue with this line of thinking is that using Couturier to fill one of those 5-6 holes opens a different hole, that of "top defensive center," which is pretty hard to fill itself.

If you have 5 holes, move a guy to fill one, and open a different one, what do you have? 5 holes. Only now, you have an older guy, who'll leave sooner, opening an additional hole faster.
- dilbert719

Exactly. You need to build to fill those holes without opening others (draft, FA, etc).

- Flyskippy

that needs to be bumped every page until the trade deadline next year

The asked NHL scouts to reasses last year's draft and where they think that the player taken last year, would be taken if that draft was done over. Laughton moved up to the 10th pick. So It might be just a tad early to state that they wasted a draft pick on Laughton.
- MJL

interesting, link?

I say no. And that is exactly why Read is more valuable to the Flyers now, then he is to a lot of other teams around the League. I would not trade Read for Bernier. I'd keep Read, and see what they got in Mason. If I'm going to trade Read, it's to upgrade the defense.
- MJL

I think with Read's play for Team Canada has opened some eyes across the League. Read was played in more situations and had higher minutes than guys like Jordan Staal. Lindy Ruff was especially impressed with his play. I would not be surprised if Ruff did not target Read in a trade from wherever he ends up coaching. And I doubt he's the only one who's noticed him. He did lead the league in Rookie goals his first year.

But I agree. I'd rather more forward with Bryz & Mason and keep Read.

Jay Greenberg to be inducted into the HHOF this year. Well deserved.

Redundant is right. Sometimes the best player available is a player of need.

There is so much talk of Matt Read being traded and those people could be right. I'm sure you can get something for a Matt Read with his all around play and cheap, cheap, cheap cap hit to fill a void. I would also look towards trading a modest prospect like Laughton or Cousins for a modest puck moving prospect in return. We always think "Star" or "Star in the making". Let's just get this team better!
- dingo8urbaby

There is no such thing as a draft pick being redundant.

Nice write up on Coots Bill. Thanks again!

As for all the Read trade talk... It makes me sad. That kid is one of my favorites. I just like his heart and his obvious desire everytime he's on the ice. Are there players more talented, or faster? Sure. And I'll cope if they trade him and I'll understand why he is leaving. But I'll miss him, no questions.

interesting, link?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

http://www.thehockeynews....erank-2012-NHL-draft.html

MJL was off by two spots, but his point still stands.

I guess I'll just disagree on the significant margin part. B Schenn was, and still is, regarded as a player with a very very high ceiling. He just needs to get a lot closer to his potential this year, whereas Couturier has a couple of more years to reach it.
- TheGreat28

A high celiling as far as an offensive player. So if B Schenn becomes a 75 pt offensive player, and a 30 goal scorer. And Couturier becomes a 20 goal 60 pt player, as well as being a Selke level forward. Who's the better player?

Nice write up on Coots Bill. Thanks again!

As for all the Read trade talk... It makes me sad. That kid is one of my favorites. I just like his heart and his obvious desire everytime he's on the ice. Are there players more talented, or faster? Sure. And I'll cope if they trade him and I'll understand why he is leaving. But I'll miss him, no questions.
- FlyersGrace

Figures the girl likes his heart... I like his shot, speed, and two way play.

The asked NHL scouts to reasses last year's draft and where they think that the player taken last year, would be taken if that draft was done over. Laughton moved up to the 10th pick. So It might be just a tad early to state that they wasted a draft pick on Laughton.
- MJL

There is so much talk of what is the value in a trade for Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and Matt Read for a stud at his position. I think at this point the Flyers have to look at all options, not to say that they do not. Cousins with his league issues and Laughton possibly not meeting the expectations he was drafted at are areas we should consider if we really want to move on from a young player. Any young player.

You said was the best defensive defensive forward more important than the best puck-moving, 2-way defenseman. And I said that, yes, he is. I never said Couturier was going to be Datsyuk.
- jmatchett383

Ok, Was Datsyuk more important then Lidstrom?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/50530-NHL-scouts-rerank-2012-NHL-draft.html

MJL was off by two spots, but his point still stands.
- jak521

ty

i was half joking - i don't want to trade either, i thought gus should've been on the roster since game 1 - over gervais and foster.
- flyersfan51

I think either he or Bourdon would have been, unfortunately they were both Hurt to start the year... and heck Bourdon was to finish it as well. Actually as MAB is still signed and is supposedly going to be ready for Camp, I'm interested in how he's going to fit into the mix. As far as I'm concerned that should push Gervais to 8th spot if MAB IS healthy and back in game shape.

Jay Greenberg to be inducted into the HHOF this year. Well deserved.
- mayorofangrytown

Well deserved indeed. Could Timmy P be next?

(ok I apologize for that. I realize that many of you probably just threw up in your mouth reading that)

But it's still a crime that Shero isn't in the HOF. I'm boycotting the HOF until that is rectified!!

interesting, link?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

He went 12th

http://www.thehockeynews....erank-2012-NHL-draft.html