Read and Umberger weren't hidden gems, it's more like he won the giant brawl between NHL teams for the money someone just threw on the ground for the taking.
- JAKEw1234

So then he doesn't get credit for signing them?

I was thinking next offseason would be better timing for a big trade like this.

1. Timonen would be retiring, so whoever we get could seam in nicely and just step into Kimmo's shoes, instead of causing a further logjam of sorts at defense.
2. If Couturier steps up big this year and finds his game (as he probably should, he's due), his cap hit will be one of the biggest bargains in the league for the next 2 years. His value will skyrocket.
3. By next offseason, if Laughton's development continues at his current pace, he'll be more than ready to effectively step into the 3rd line center role.
- JAKEw1234

This seems to indicate that Couturier's upside is only a 3rd line Center.

This is just dumb. Would you rather have a non athletic sieve playing for you? And Bryz campaigned for the heavy work load so if he couldn't handle it then how is that a reason to excuse him for sucking? The point was just that it seems painfully obvious to everyone outside Philly that Bryz was done so I don't know why we keep making up reasons outside of his play thats keeping him from getting a job.
- lar6767

He didn't suck, is the point. Many fans from many teams agree with this. He just didn't play up to his pay grade. You seem to have problems understanding that concept.

So then he doesn't get credit for signing them?
- lar6767

Where did I say that?

Scheifele will be a lock to make next years team.

We will see how bringing him along slowly, compared to Coots will translate.
- flyer_nutter

I have a feeling Couturier and Schenn will have very good years. They are the ones who can take this team to the next level.

This seems to indicate that Couturier's upside is only a 3rd line Center.
- MJL

I don't see how it indicates that. He'd have to have a legendary breakout season if he were to bump Vincent Lecavalier down the depth charts. We all know he fits into our lineup on the 3rd line for the next couple years, unless he emerges as an elite talent in that time.

I have a feeling Couturier and Schenn will have very good years. They are the ones who can take this team to the next level.
- PhillySportsGuy

It would be nice to have a "Pavelski" or "Couture" emerge, or so to speak.

Its my belief that this team is a few years out from competing, and it will be the young kids that lead them there. Hope they have it in them.

It would be nice to have a "Pavelski" or "Couture" emerge, or so to speak.

Its my belief that this team is a few years out from competing, and it will be the young kids that lead them there. Hope they have it in them.
- flyer_nutter

If Couturier and Schenn breakout, this team is ready to compete next season.

I don't see how it indicates that. He'd have to have a legendary breakout season if he were to bump Vincent Lecavalier down the depth charts. We all know he fits into our lineup on the 3rd line for the next couple years, unless he emerges as an elite talent in that time.
- JAKEw1234

You stated as a reason why Couturier might be traded next off season, is that Laughton could develop as a 3rd line Center. As if that would somehow make Couturier expendable. I guess I'm not part of "we all".

If Couturier and Schenn breakout, this team is ready to compete next season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they are fairly set on offense in regards to competing. Would like to see a little more grit but they are good.

A mix of:
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Coots-Read
Laughton-Hall-Rinaldo

That sort of lineup, which for the most part should remain intact for years is a solid group.

The D however does worry me to this day, and its kind of a weird mix having the offense on the upswing, but the D on a downswing. We will see, but I think until more promising kids and star power arrive on that back end, that arent so injury prone, they wont be ready to establish themselves as a team.

Now you're making a different argument. First you incorrectly accuse Bill of making excuses for Bryzgalov. How about when Bryzgalov was player of the Month in March. Those numbers were posted earlier in this thread. Using Mason's 7 games is not a good example to use. Let's see Mason play here over an extended time. Noone is arguing that Bryzgalov didn't get it done here. It's just that you're falsely accusing Bill Meltzer, and labeling his statements incorrectly.
- MJL

I can't use 7 games for Mason but you can cherry pick one month out of two years for Bryz. Ok.I'm not falsely accusing him, I believe he stated repeatedly that he didn't think he was that bad but it seems that every other club thinks he was. Again, either way he had to be bought because of the recapture penalties and by his own admission he stated he was noncommittal about his portrayal of the situation and because of the penalty there should have been no question he needed to be bought and it should have been stated that way.

You stated as a reason why Couturier might be traded next off season, is that Laughton could develop as a 3rd line Center. As if that would somehow make Couturier expendable. I guess I'm not part of "we all".
- MJL

It would. Laughton won't be able to play to the level of Couturier, but he can certainly ease the pain enough to make it worth it to move him for our much, MUCH bigger need. And where do you see him fitting in in the next couple seasons if not on the 3rd line?

The real question is will Lavi and Bylsma be coaching in the NHL by the Olympic break?
- PhillySportsGuy

No & yes

I think they are fairly set on offense in regards to competing. Would like to see a little more grit but they are good.

A mix of:
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Coots-Read
Laughton-Hall-Rinaldo

That sort of lineup, which for the most part should remain intact for years is a solid group.

The D however does worry me to this day, and its kind of a weird mix having the offense on the upswing, but the D on a downswing. We will see, but I think until more promising kids and star power arrive on that back end, that arent so injury prone, they wont be ready to establish themselves as a team.
- flyer_nutter

I would have loved for the team to have signed Scuderi instead of Streit. I know they needed a puck mover but Streit is so bad in his own end. Scuderi would give the Flyers 3 good pairings along with a very good 7th dman. He also would have cost less and isn't a 35+ contract.

He didn't suck, is the point. Many fans from many teams agree with this. He just didn't play up to his pay grade. You seem to have problems understanding that concept.
- JAKEw1234

No, I understand hence my point that he had to be bought out.

This is just dumb. Would you rather have a non athletic sieve playing for you? And Bryz campaigned for the heavy work load so if he couldn't handle it then how is that a reason to excuse him for sucking? The point was just that it seems painfully obvious to everyone outside Philly that Bryz was done so I don't know why we keep making up reasons outside of his play thats keeping him from getting a job.
- lar6767

When you have ex-teammates saying he's a bad teammate, then it's not really making anything up. Derek Morris made very public comments about Bryzgalov being a bad teammate.

Certainly his play IS a factor, but it's not the only factor.

No & yes
- ob18

I think both will be. I think Bylsma is more likely to be fired because his expectations are much higher.

As long as the Flyers get into the playoffs and the young guys progress, Lavi will be safe.

I don't see how it indicates that. He'd have to have a legendary breakout season if he were to bump Vincent Lecavalier down the depth charts. We all know he fits into our lineup on the 3rd line for the next couple years, unless he emerges as an elite talent in that time.
- JAKEw1234

What happens if Lecavalier moves to wing? Lecavalier, Laviolette and Holmgren have all mentioned that as a possibility

I would have loved for the team to have signed Scuderi instead of Streit. I know they needed a puck mover but Streit is so bad in his own end. Scuderi would give the Flyers 3 good pairings along with a very good 7th dman. He also would have cost less and isn't a 35+ contract.
- PhillySportsGuy

I like Scuderi, but that would have given them 4 defensemen that generate little or no offense: Coburn, Scuderi, Grossmann and Schenn. With Timonen most likely going into his final season, they needed to find someone to qb the powerplay which is what Streit does best. In a perfect world, Streit would have become a free agent one year later when Kimmo's cap hit would have been off the books, but it ain't a perfect world.

I think they are fairly set on offense in regards to competing. Would like to see a little more grit but they are good.

A mix of:
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Coots-Read
Laughton-Hall-Rinaldo

That sort of lineup, which for the most part should remain intact for years is a solid group.

The D however does worry me to this day, and its kind of a weird mix having the offense on the upswing, but the D on a downswing. We will see, but I think until more promising kids and star power arrive on that back end, that arent so injury prone, they wont be ready to establish themselves as a team.
- flyer_nutter

Im not sure of that core can entirely stay intact. If Read plays on the 3rd line this year he'll almost definitely leave for the UFA market next year. Hartnell, as a power forward, is looking at 2 or 3 more years if he's lucky before he begins his decline. Lecavalier obviously will be facing his decline within the next few years. Hopefully the rise in play of Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn, and Coots can make those other negatives seem less so.

I think both will be. I think Bylsma is more likely to be fired because his expectations are much higher.

As long as the Flyers get into the playoffs and the young guys progress, Lavi will be safe.
- PhillySportsGuy

If the Flyers start slowly, say 5-9-1, or look as uncompetitive as they did early last season, Laviolette will have plenty of time to prepare for Sochi

Where did I say that?
- JAKEw1234

Then why are you attempting to qualify it?

What happens if Lecavalier moves to wing? Lecavalier, Laviolette and Holmgren have all mentioned that as a possibility
- Jsaquella

Well then he'd still have to beat out BSchenn (who's also due for a breakout year) for the long term job.
Hartnell - Giroux - Lecavalier
Simmonds - Schenn - Voracek

If Couturier and Schenn breakout, this team is ready to compete next season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hahahaha... Delusional

Then why are you attempting to qualify it?
- lar6767

What? I was pointing out that those 2 weren't hidden gems, not that Homer doesn't deserve credit for getting them.