My concern is those shifts where Giroux loses the face off or they fail to control the puck, so he can get off the ice. Then he's stuck out there with the 4th liners, burning energy and playing a hard shift.

Being able to send Hall out there for even half of the draws that Laviolette had Giroux taking next year will reduce the load on him greatly.
- Jsaquella

Exactly my point, and having Holmstrom or a new face up there would make that shift that much riskier.

Okay so you picked the most dangerous sniper in the game to prove your point? I'd rather have Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo (my assumed 4th line) against Stamkos at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd with a one goal lead then continuously putting Giroux out there wearing him down by the end of the game.
- GirouxForTheShow

Vinny/Laughton/Couturier/Talbot/Read were already under contract and could do pretty much what you just described above. If Laughton makes the team out of camp, Hall might even get pushed out of the top-12.

I think more and more I'd rather see McGinn than Gagne on that third line. Sure, not as good defensively, but I like McGinn's grit and size.
- Jsaquella

McGinn/cooter/read seems like a line that may complement each other real well

It's not a difference maker, otherwise, he'd be making more than $600K.

Hall simply gives the Flyers a proven option and solid 4th liner, who can help on the PK and win draws. Maybe all it means is that Laviolette doesn't have to use Giroux for every defensive zone draw, which could lead to him having to take extra shifts, and he doesn't waste energy trying to clear the zone and get off the ice.
- Jsaquella

THIS

Vinny/Laughton/Couturier/Talbot/Read were already under contract and could do pretty much what you just described above. If Laughton makes the team out of camp, Hall might even get pushed out of the top-12.
- Tomahawk

That's ok. They might like the way hall practices and his influence on the young guys. Worth a contract slot to me

Vinny/Laughton/Couturier/Talbot/Read were already under contract and could do pretty much what you just described above. If Laughton makes the team out of camp, Hall might even get pushed out of the top-12.
- Tomahawk

Talbot would most likely be on Hall's line. Why put your 2nd line out on a defensive zone shift when you can put your perfectly competent 4th line out whose strong point is winning faceoffs and defending? Just to save a contract spot? Couturier I can see your point because he spent most of his zone starts in the D zone. But maybe they'd like to give him more offensive responsibilities.

I think more and more I'd rather see McGinn than Gagne on that third line. Sure, not as good defensively, but I like McGinn's grit and size.
- Jsaquella

I'm fine with a new face on the third line. But I let the players fight it out in camp/preseason. If Talbot wins it then you fill the fourth line.

I would think: Laughton, McGinn and Straka would be in the top of the mix.

Edit: I'm just excited for the season. The fact that we are talking about the 3rd-4th line 1 open roster spot is awesome. This team is going to make some noise.

Drop the puck!

Without Laughton

Hartsy-G-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Gagne-Couts-Read
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
Rosehill
McGinn

EDIT: nvm, I misread 14th forward for 13th forward.
- GirouxForTheShow

I would be shocked if our line up didn't look like this to the T come October.

As for Jay Rosehill, I wouldn't view him as the next Jody Shelley. Age was never on Shelley's side since signing here. With Rosehill, completely different situation. If anything, he's more so replacing Tom Sesito

I would be shocked if our line up didn't look like this to the T come October.

As for Jay Rosehill, I wouldn't view him as the next Jody Shelley. Age was never on Shelley's side since signing here. With Rosehill, completely different situation. If anything, he's more so replacing Tom Sestio
- dingo8urbaby

I agree, I think they will experiment with Vinny at RW on G's line but Vinny's FO ability is invaluable to this team.

I agree, I think they will experiment with Vinny at RW on G's line but Vinny's FO ability is invaluable to this team.
- coffee junkie

Giroux and Lecavalier should get used the same way Crosby and Malkin do. Separate lines until the game is on the line.

Giroux and Lecavalier should get used the same way Crosby and Malkin do. Separate lines until the game is on the line.
- dingo8urbaby

Giroux-Lecavalier duo v Crosby-Malkin duo should be fun to watch.

Giroux-Lecavalier duo v Crosby-Malkin duo should be fun to watch.
- JAKEw1234

I'm excited. I think Lecavalier is gonna surprise all of us. I just feel the Flyers have one of the best supporting casts in the league only behind the Hawks, Kings, Pens and Bruins. The Wings are good too but in decline. I think the Jackets are up and coming.

I don't think we've had a big scoring center since Lindros, but of course Lecavalier cannot touch that. Speaking of Lindros, I think it's out of him or Kariya for the Hall of Fame. My money is on the Big E.

Movin on up! Flyers ranked #29 on the new NHL farm rankings list!

Weren't we 30th last year?

I'm excited. I think Lecavalier is gonna surprise all of us. I just feel the Flyers have one of the best supporting casts in the league only behind the Hawks, Kings, Pens and Bruins. The Wings are good too but in decline. I think the Jackets are up and coming.

I don't think we've had a big scoring center since Lindros, but of course Lecavalier cannot touch that. Speaking of Lindros, I think it's out of him or Kariya for the Hall of Fame. My money is on the Big E.
- dingo8urbaby

Wings in decline? The minor league team won the Calder cup.

I think more and more I'd rather see McGinn than Gagne on that third line. Sure, not as good defensively, but I like McGinn's grit and size.
- Jsaquella

i'd be ok with that... although i think i'd rather:

talbot-coots-read
mcginn-hall-rinaldo

i like the energy mcginn brings

Vinny/Laughton/Couturier/Talbot/Read were already under contract and could do pretty much what you just described above. If Laughton makes the team out of camp, Hall might even get pushed out of the top-12.
- Tomahawk

Right now, today, I think Hall is a better NHL hockey player then Laughton. I would think we want to keep both Talbot and Read on the wing. My question is, who's cheaper? Hall or Laughton?

Wings in decline? The minor league team won the Calder cup.
- Just5

And that means what? Two years after we won the Calder Cup, we were dead last in the NHL.

Movin on up! Flyers ranked #29 on the new NHL farm rankings list!

Weren't we 30th last year?
- Just5

Where's the official list?

Wings in decline? The minor league team won the Calder cup.
- Just5

There's a difference between an AHL team that competes for the Calder, and one that focuses on developing their youth. We have an AHL team that doesn't worry about winning and focuses purely on development. They don't, they stock up on over aged career AHLers that (obviously) dominate against kids.

Watching the 2004 SCF, TB and Calgary, on the NHL channel. The ABC TV coverage at the time was tremendous.

Watching the 2004 SCF, TB and Calgary, on the NHL channel. The ABC TV coverage at the time was tremendous.
- 77rams

None of what you just said makes sense. Tampa Bay and Calgary in a cup final? Please, that would never happen . And ABC covering hockey, now you just sound crazy

There's a difference between an AHL team that competes for the Calder, and one that focuses on developing their youth. We have an AHL team that doesn't worry about winning and focuses purely on development. They don't, they stock up on over aged career AHLers that (obviously) dominate against kids.
- JAKEw1234

When did we win our Calder Cup with Richards, Carter, Umburger, Jones and Cote? Like I said, 2 years later all of these players were playing for the Flyers and we were dead last in the NHL. I will become more of a believe in the Wings again once they manage to draft another Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and stop signing players like Dan Clearly and Todd Bertuzzi. Their two most recent signings aren't exactly earth shattering players. If anything, they should do what's necessary to keep Damien Brunner.

Watching the 2004 SCF, TB and Calgary, on the NHL channel. The ABC TV coverage at the time was tremendous.
- 77rams

ABC is basically an ESPN broadcast. Boy do I miss Gary Thorne.

When did we win our Calder Cup with Richards, Carter, Umburger, Jones and Cote? Like I said, 2 years later all of these players were playing for the Flyers and we were dead last in the NHL. I will become more of a believe in the Wings again once they manage to draft another Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and stop signing players like Dan Clearly and Todd Bertuzzi. Their two most recent signings aren't exactly earth shattering players. If anything, they should do what's necessary to keep Damien Brunner.
- dingo8urbaby

I don't say that to mean Detroit has a bad prospect pool, I'm just saying don't see that they've won a calder recently and immediately judge them to have a very strong prospect pool. I think Calder's are won more by the overage career AHLers than by the prospects.

I don't say that to mean Detroit has a bad prospect pool, I'm just saying don't see that they've won a calder recently and immediately judge them to have a very strong prospect pool. I think Calder's are won more by the overage career AHLers than by the prospects.
- JAKEw1234

I tend to agree.