why not

Giroux - Vinny - Voracek
Hartnell - Schenn- Read
Simmonds - Couts - Talbot
Rinaldo-hall-
- PhillaBully[Insert goon here]

Yes... that would be an awesome line in any all-star game. Would certainly bring us goals... so, lets keep trying to figure out the real plan

He did the obvious: Split up Meszaros/Grossmann, and gave Couturier a winger.

There's hope for this thing yet.
- AllInForFlyers

Overall, I'm cool with the changes.

Steve Mason looks like the starter tonight.

Get your helmet ready for tonight, I think we're going to need them
- funmaster18

I don't have mine...may have to call a friend.

Because together they try and play a "look what I can do" game. Not an ounce of checking or defense.
- youarewrong

I think Berube is saying you'll play with who you want when you how me something with respect to Giroux and Voracek.

Because together they try and play a "look what I can do" game. Not an ounce of checking or defense.
- youarewrong

I'd rather see what they can do... because it worked last year.

He's struggled on the third line his whole career. If they could get a solid third line winger then Talbot could go back where he belongs and we would have an excellent 4th line.

Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
- Feanor

I think Talbot would make the 4th line better for sure. Did Talbot score 19 goals as a Flyer playing predominantly on the 4th line? I would have to see some information that backs up that Talbot has struggled on the 3rd line his entire career. I think he's an ideal 3rd line player.

I don't expect this situation to be permanent. I expect the Flyers either to eventually call up a player to play either on the 3rd line, to move Talbot to the 4th line. Or to keep Talbot on the 3rd line, and play another forward on the 4th. With Newbury sent back down. And Rosehill back into the role he signed for as the 13th forward.
- MJL

That would be great. and entirely under the radar if the rest of the team wasn't in shambles

Wouldn't that be sumthin?
- funmaster18

Like Christmas in October and just a little better than sticking your tongue to a freezing piece of metal...

I don't have mine...may have to call a friend.
- tangent_man

I should be able to get one more game out of mine

i had more interest in this team last year when the lockout was still going on. the leadership of the organization has slowly and steadfastly been draining my passion. why is there ALWAYS some key piece of drama that goes on with this team? can't get through a season without major injuries, a coaching change, a death, star players being traded, goalie circus, off ice drama - whatever. it's always, always, ALWAYS, SOMETHING.

i'm tired of it.


- hammarby31

I'm with you Hammar. Last month I tried to bring some levity to a thread by stating at least no Flyers had been hit by a train. Unfortunately, Bill proved my statement to be false.

Honestly, if there's an issue with Simmonds and Hartnell with Giroux, they are a highly effective trio on the PP. Perhaps they can use that to get going at 5 on 5.

It's a departure and a logical one. I'm cool with what Berube seems to be doing for his debut.

I'm with you Hammar. Last month I tried to bring some levity to a thread by stating at least no Flyers had been hit by a train. Unfortunately, Bill proved my statement to be false.
- PLindbergh31

That would be great. and entirely under the radar if the rest of the team wasn't in shambles
- funmaster18

I would add that a trade for a role playing forward at some point is also a possibility.

If Berube turns out to be as competent as he appears in interviews I've watched, and in statements I've read, the Flyers will have found themselves a very solid head coach.

He seems to have a very definite idea of what he expects his players to do, and what kind of team the Flyers should be. This can only be a good thing going forward.

I'm very much looking forward to the Berube era.

I'd rather see what they can do... because it worked last year.
- mikel33

Oh yea, I forgot it worked so well they won the Stanley Cup.

I would add that a trade for a role playing forward at some point is also a possibility.
- MJL

Is that role the scapegoat?

If Berube turns out to be as competent as he appears in interviews I've watched, and in statements I've read, the Flyers will have found themselves a very solid head coach.

He seems to have a very definite idea of what he expects his players to do, and what kind of team the Flyers should be. This can only be a good thing going forward.

I'm very much looking forward to the Berube era.
- FlyerGuy

You're not following the narrative.

You need to be on board with the narrative that because Berube was a goon as a player, that he's going to suck as a coach.

Honestly, if there's an issue with Simmonds and Hartnell with Giroux, they are a highly effective trio on the PP. Perhaps they can use that to get going at 5 on 5.

It's a departure and a logical one. I'm cool with what Berube seems to be doing for his debut.
- Jsaquella

Agreed I like almost everything he's done and said. Now for the part that counts..

Didn't that happen to Marty Brodeur too?
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, in the playoffs. Also once happened to Pelle Lindbergh during his downward spiral early in second NHL season.

Honestly, if there's an issue with Simmonds and Hartnell with Giroux, they are a highly effective trio on the PP. Perhaps they can use that to get going at 5 on 5.

It's a departure and a logical one. I'm cool with what Berube seems to be doing for his debut.
- Jsaquella

IMO it works on the PP only because they dont have to skate much or play defense. And Giroux and Voracek are there setting time up. I'll give it a game to check out, but I'm not a fan.

Blog updated with tonight's line combos. Mason in goal.

Is that role the scapegoat?
- funmaster18

No, I think Rosehill and Streit have that covered for now. Possibly followed soon by Giroux.

Overall, I'm cool with the changes.

Steve Mason looks like the starter tonight.
- Jsaquella

For the roster composition that we have, that's what I'd roll out, to be honest -- if you have to know if Brayden Schenn is a 2LW, then you have to play Jake Voracek with him, since he's one of the few players on the roster who Schenn has absolutely killed it with.

You could put Couturier with Simmonds and Talbot and Read on the top line, and arguably have more defensive balance, but not a whole lot's going to matter if Giroux and Hartnell don't start scoring.

The defensive pairings are obvious: He's going to hide Meszaros/Streit, Grossmann/Coburn are going to play some of the hardest minutes known to mankind, and Timonen/Schenn pick up the rest.

For the roster we have at this moment, that's how I would have done it.

Yes, in the playoffs. Also once happened to Pelle Lindbergh during his downward spiral early in second NHL season.
- bmeltzer

Hi Bill.

Ek is saying Dallas might want a defensive D-man. Any interest in Grossmann?

Need Rosehill to keep Peter Worrell in check.
- PLindbergh31

Heard the Panthers are also dressing Paul Laus.