After 1

Oshawa - 2
Belleville - 0

Laughton with an assist

I will be the first to admit that I thought bSchenn was going to be a 3rd line dud. He has kind of shown me more glimmers of hope so I don't want to cast Couturier in the same light as I did once to Schenn.

Did mention I think last year how I wouldn't be surprised to see Coots develop into essentially a Handzus. Still wouldn't surprise me today. Nothing wrong with that I suppose.
- flyer_nutter

Well put it this way, Baby Schenn can play on the wing, theres no question. The problem is now that he is playing C on the second line, it really is limiting Coots development. If they didnt bring in "wheels" I think there was a possibility of eventually putting Coots at second line C. Then again, they are going to have to wait until Hartnell declines so they can move Schenn to the wing and put Coots in at 2nd line C.

It would also really help if Couturier would at least develop a sniff of an offensive game. He is young and all but (frank), you really would love to see more than a 3rd line checker out of the kid.

That's just nitpicking though. We all know what the biggest issue is, and it is not Sean Couturier.
- flyer_nutter

You absolutely need more out of the 8th pick in the draft than a shut down center.

big goal at the end of the 2nd. If that doesn't give them some life in the 3rd nothing will ...

Simmer and G had some good shifts in the 2nd as well.
- FlyerGuy

Simmonds is the most noticeable guy out there.

I think Streit is having a pretty good game too.

Carolina has been tough for this team to beat for whatever reason.

I know its really damn unlikely. However I'd scream like a 12 year old girl if I saw Montreal traded for Vinny at the deadline.

I think Downie has taken a couple shifts up with G and Jake.

You absolutely need more out of the 8th pick in the draft than a shut down center.
- FlyerLifer

It would suck, and the lack of foot speed really hurts him.

It happens though, and having a solid shutdown guy for the next 10 years is fine. Just pay him accordingly, not for that shiny "potential". If you say had a line with Couturier, Ott and Read. That is a Stanley Cup caliber shutdown line.

I know its really damn unlikely. However I'd scream like a 12 year old girl if I saw Montreal traded for Vinny at the deadline.
- flyer_nutter

Id scream in general if Lecavalier gets picked up by any other team.

I know its really damn unlikely. However I'd scream like a 12 year old girl if I saw Montreal traded for Vinny at the deadline.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah the FSCarolina feed said that the Flyers were not happy at all with VL's defense and said that was a contributing factor to him being on the wing.

I know its really damn unlikely. However I'd scream like a 12 year old girl if I saw Montreal traded for Vinny at the deadline.
- flyer_nutter

I think montreal has learned its lesson with danny b., they don't need any past their prime retreads even if he would be a fan base favorite due to his lineage.

Well put it this way, Baby Schenn can play on the wing, theres no question. The problem is now that he is playing C on the second line, it really is limiting Coots development. If they didnt bring in "wheels" I think there was a possibility of eventually putting Coots at second line C. Then again, they are going to have to wait until Hartnell declines so they can move Schenn to the wing and put Coots in at 2nd line C.
- justahockeyguy2

I get the thing with having Couturier in a position to succeed, and having Vinny around kind of gets in that way of that. I will bet my nuts that Couturier would be demoted to the fourth line before LeCavalier, just because of the ego and not looking foolish (again) of giving out a huge contract this summer.

The thing with Couturier, is you also have to make those around you better. Downie has been trash for a while now, but Read is a guy you are really noticing. Couturier has a decent linemate, and needs to put the focus on himself.

Again though, even if he kind of doesn't develop an offensive game. That's fine, just pay him accordingly. He is the last of the team's issues.

One thing they will need here is Mason to move back a bit from the average aisle. Its a fine line they are walking, and he needs to shut the door.

I don't buy that whole thing of a goaltender being excused from saves. We see unrealistic stops all the time.

I get the thing with having Couturier in a position to succeed, and having Vinny around kind of gets in that way of that. I will bet my nuts that Couturier would be demoted to the fourth line before LeCavalier, just because of the ego and not looking foolish (again) of giving out a huge contract this summer.

The thing with Couturier, is you also have to make those around you better. Downie has been trash for a while now, but Read is a guy you are really noticing. Couturier has a decent linemate, and needs to put the focus on himself.

Again though, even if he kind of doesn't develop an offensive game. That's fine, just pay him accordingly. He is the last of the team's issues.
- flyer_nutter

Well I think starting next year, Coots needs to take on a bigger role. You drafted him 8th overall for a reason. Can't keep spoon feeding him. Especially with Laughton coming in next year to possibly take that 3rd line C role.

What I really am liking from Simmonds, and Giroux as well is you see that effort constantly. Even if the goals are not coming, they are doing the little things, and skating hard.

Its that kind of consistency, that is key. Those kind of players are the keepers. Those who run so hot and cold, become very expendable imo.

I had my doubts with Simmonds, but nice to see him improving in this area year by year.
- flyer_nutter

100% agreed ... though I never really had doubts about Simmonds. I always thought he worked hard, even if he couldn't keep the puck on his stick for more than 2 seconds earlier this season.

Couturier has spent, maybe two months in his entire career with wingers who complimented his offensive abilities and did well during it.

Now he's saddled with an injured Lecavalier playing out of position & just got Read back, and we're back to "He's never going to produce"

Jesus, you people are the most fickle bastards in the world-and the people saying that Couturier isn't going to develop or that Schenn would never be more than a 3rd liner are the ones saying that they need to draft and develop.

That takes patience. It's going to be an up and down process...and you complain about the developing young guys now. Can't wait until Morin or Hagg arrive and have a bad game, and then they'll be no more than future 3rd pair stiffs.

After 1

Oshawa - 2
Belleville - 0

Laughton with an assist
- ob18

Who's winning the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters vs the Whitby Mohawks game?

Couturier has spent, maybe two months in his entire career with wingers who complimented his offensive abilities and did well during it.

Now he's saddled with an injured Lecavalier playing out of position & just got Read back, and we're back to "He's never going to produce"

Jesus, you people are the most fickle bastards in the world-and the people saying that Couturier isn't going to develop or that Schenn would never be more than a 3rd liner are the ones saying that they need to draft and develop.

That takes patience. It's going to be an up and down process...and you complain about the developing young guys now. Can't wait until Morin or Hagg arrive and have a bad game, and then they'll be no more than future 3rd pair stiffs.
- Jsaquella

Lets relax. All I said is Couturier may not develop an offensive game, and it would be nice for him to do so.

I also said its cool if he does not, as having a good shutdown guy for an extended period of time is good.

Whats the issue?

Hartsy the poacher!

it's silly this game is tied.

Now don't take a stupid penalty or give it right back up.

looked like jake pulled nash's stick into his own face

GOAL!!

Who's winning the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters vs the Whitby Mohawks game?
- 77rams

The team in Whitby are called the Wildcats sir.

Go Team!
As bad as they looked the first period it is now a tie game.

Couturier has spent, maybe two months in his entire career with wingers who complimented his offensive abilities and did well during it.

Now he's saddled with an injured Lecavalier playing out of position & just got Read back, and we're back to "He's never going to produce"

Jesus, you people are the most fickle bastards in the world-and the people saying that Couturier isn't going to develop or that Schenn would never be more than a 3rd liner are the ones saying that they need to draft and develop.

That takes patience. It's going to be an up and down process...and you complain about the developing young guys now. Can't wait until Morin or Hagg arrive and have a bad game, and then they'll be no more than future 3rd pair stiffs.
- Jsaquella

yup, its the same old story

BTW I know VL is a well respected vet and all that jazz, but right now he needs to centering the 4th line at even strength

Hartnell!!

HELLL YESSSSSSS