Any player who struggles has to play his way out of his slumps. If Giroux was ever to get hurt and chemistry was found between three other players, how long do you think it would take before Giroux found d his way centering that top line again? Hartnell isn't exactly lighting it up on the power play but he remains on the top unit, right? Raffl will come off the top line sooner or later, why delay the inevitable?
- Schenn2shine

First there is a difference of a player coming off injury, and one that hasnt been effective for 2 seasons.

Second... you delay the inevitable because it is working. Use it while it works. Maybe we can actually win hockey games....

OR... we can trade Hartnell. Problem solved.

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Downie-Couturier-Read
McGinn/Velveeta-Hall-Rinaldo


- youarewrong

I take Hartnell playing at his current level for a whole season and playoffs at his current salary way before I take McGinn for the same

You mean when a number of players struggled including our Captain? Does this mean we trade him too?
- Schenn2shine

You siad G and V were carrying the line. But they werent. They were GOD awful, and now that they are lighting it up with someone other then hartnell you want to take that away just because of hartnall's cap hit?

Raffl is playing well but he's still not contributing at a top line level. He's had two or three games where he chipped in. The top line will be good with or without him. Giroux and Voracek are carrying the load the same way they were when Hartnell was originally on there. You don't sacrifice everything else for one good thing.
- Schenn2shine

Raffl is contributing with his effort. It reminds me of what Brandon Saad did last season with the Hawks on the top line.

OR... we can trade Hartnell. Problem solved.

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Downie-Couturier-Read
McGinn/Velveeta-Hall-Rinaldo


- youarewrong

Tye McGinn isn't a fourth line player no matter what level of hockey he is playing.

First there is a difference of a player coming off injury, and one that hasnt been effective for 2 seasons.

Second... you delay the inevitable because it is working. Use it while it works. Maybe we can actually win hockey games....
- youarewrong

Hartnell was hurt for an extended period of time this season. Hartnell only started contributing after his injury.

You siad G and V were carrying the line. But they werent. They were GOD awful, and now that they are lighting it up with someone other then hartnell you want to take that away just because of hartnall's cap hit?
- youarewrong

I guess you miss the Ottawa games? Our longest streak of collecting points this season, Raffl wasn't even in the line up.

Tye McGinn isn't a fourth line player no matter what level of hockey he is playing.
- Schenn2shine

You prefer Jay Rosehill?

im not the biggest hartnell fan by any means but i think it would be foolish to give up on him or write him off now.

too many times he's seemed terrible, only to find chemistry with certain linemates out of nowhere and carry this team. still a long way to go this year.

I guess you miss the Ottawa games? They
- Schenn2shine

Giroux is on a career long point streak. Voracek was also on one, and is still producing much more then he did earlier this season. Whether its because Raffl goes to areas that Hartnell doesnt to draw coverage off G and V, or if he is able to make better passes, or if he is fast and more involved in the plays, I cant say. All I have to see is that Raffl on this line is HOT. And you dont break something up that is working.

You prefer Jay Rosehill?
- youarewrong

In a fourth line role, yes. Jay Roseville is a fourth player and Tye McGinn isn't.

im not the biggest hartnell fan by any means but i think it would be foolish to give up on him or write him off now.

too many times he's seemed terrible, only to find chemistry with certain linemates out of nowhere and carry this team. still a long way to go this year.
- Crimsoninja

I agree. Hartsy to me seems like one of those 'glue' guys that keep the game fun for the team, especially when they are winning. He will get out of this funk and when he does he will be that player that every opposing team hates to play and every opposing team fan wants on their own team. That same guy that has been a part of the top scoring line many times in his career no matter who his line mates were.

Tye McGinn isn't a fourth line player no matter what level of hockey he is playing.
- Schenn2shine

Absolutely right. He is a third liner in the AHL.

I agree. Hartsy to me seems like one of those 'glue' guys that keep the game fun for the team, especially when they are winning. He will get out of this funk and when he does he will be that player that every opposing team hates to play and every opposing team fan wants on their own team. That same guy that has been a part of the top scoring line many times in his career no matter who his line mates were.
- moylander

i'd like to see him on Vinny's wing for a few games. problem is where does that leave schenn or simmonds once downie gets back?

I guess you miss the Ottawa games? Our longest streak of collecting points this season, Raffl wasn't even in the line up.
- Schenn2shine

You are insane. Raffl is a godsend for this team. He pushed hartnell off that line which may in turn reinvigorate him. Raffl right now is doing way more of the little things that need to get done on any line.

Yes. Hartnell will prob wind up back up there. But for now don't waste your breath. I'm not sure why I did

Giroux is on a career long point streak. Voracek was also on one, and is still producing much more then he did earlier this season. Whether its because Raffl goes to areas that Hartnell doesnt to draw coverage off G and V, or if he is able to make better passes, or if he is fast and more involved in the plays, I cant say. All I have to see is that Raffl on this line is HOT. And you dont break something up that is working.
- youarewrong

I'll take a team streak of points in the standings every day of the week over individual player streaks. The best streak the team had was in November starting with the Oilers game.

I guess you miss the Ottawa games? Our longest streak of collecting points this season, Raffl wasn't even in the line up.
- Schenn2shine

The question is did you watch these games. Despite the team winning, the top line wasnt very prodictive during this streach. Nothing like it is now.

You are insane. Raffl is a godsend for this team. He pushed hartnell off that line which may in turn reinvigorate him. Raffl right now is doing way more of the little things that need to get done on any line.

Yes. Hartnell will prob wind up back up there. But for now don't waste your breath. I'm not sure why I did
- Just5

A lot of contradicting yourself in this statement but whatever. My points stand.

I'll take a team streak of points in the standings every day of the week over individual player streaks. The best streak the team had was in November starting with the Oilers game.
- Schenn2shine

Werent you just saying your top line has to be your best players? I would say the Flyers are playing just as well now as they were then. Maybe even better.

Dear Schenn to Shine... Bah Humbug.

First there is a difference of a player coming off injury, and one that hasnt been effective for 2 seasons.

Second... you delay the inevitable because it is working. Use it while it works. Maybe we can actually win hockey games....
- youarewrong

Yeah, I guess missing two weeks with a rib injury wouldn't slow up a power forward at all, huh.

A lot of contradicting yourself in this statement but whatever. My points stand.
- Schenn2shine

Wrong again. Yes your point of breaking up the hottest line in the league now to get hartnell going stands on page 1

The question is did you watch these games. Despite the team winning, the top line wasnt very prodictive during this streach. Nothing like it is now.
- youarewrong

You asked the question if I watched the first twenty games directing my attention to Scott Hartnell who struggled. I answered your question is a number of different fashions. I showed you Hartnell wasn't the only player to struggle and I used an example of when the top line has played well with Hartnell on it.

Wrong again. Yes your point of breaking up the hottest line in the league now to get hartnell going stands on page 1
- Just5

Hottest line in the league?

Merry Christmas, everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfZQ8tpckE