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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: 2014 NHL Draft: A Look at the Top Russian Prospects
Author Message
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 16 @ 6:40 PM ET
I want the Flyers to put Couturier in a more favourable position next season.

Either he gets bumped up to 2nd line center and they sign a FA to center the 3rd shutdown line, or he doesn't get such heavy matchups continuously going up against the top members of the other team.

Do think if they continue the approach they have been doing, you are going to stunt the kid into a pure defensive player. Sure playing him against the top lines each game gives you a better chance to win 'this year' but developing him more and allowing him a better chance to grow an offensive game will help this club drastically in the future imo.

- flyer_nutter


Agree 100%. He can still be used that way in key situations. But give him time away from top matchups also during the season. With better match ups so he maybe get some confidence offensively.
SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:40 PM ET
if this is alluding to me, im confused.

if not, my apologies

- stayinthefnnet

It's not.
Tomahawk
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi.
Joined: 02.04.2009

Jun 16 @ 6:40 PM ET
It's so hard this year to do a mock...so much fluidity after the top 10-12, one guy could have a dude going 15 and another could have the same dude at 25.
- Jsaquella


He lost me at Nick Schmaltz 'cuz Jordan, and Brendan 'cuz Claude...
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:40 PM ET
if this is alluding to me, im confused.

if not, my apologies

- stayinthefnnet


Nope, I have been trying to ignore those who just post to argue, like him & mjl. Today I responded directly. Not sure why, but whatever. I'm going back to my policy if ignoring, though
aflyerpower8
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: AL
Joined: 06.03.2014

Jun 16 @ 6:40 PM ET
I have a hard time thinking that this Organization is going to sit back and wait 3-5 years for the young defenseman to develop, without trying to bolster the team. While also wasting 3-5 years of players such as Giroux, Voracek, and Simmonds. While players like Hartnell, Streit, and others all get older. And that is best case scenario, unless one of them develops to be able to play at high level faster. Which is certainly possible, but not likely. And there is always the possibility that they don't develop. Then what?
- MJL


If your ultimate goal is the cup, trying to keep this team making the playoffs, but not having the pieces to win the cup is more of a waste. The Flyers don't have the pieces to trade to get a top line winger and a top pairing defenseman. So unless they get lucky with a reclamation project (Mason), the draft is how we turn this team into a contender.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:41 PM ET
Oh I know but he's one of the more respect people who follows these players year round..........that's why I posted it.

Any mock is a shot in the dark.

- ob18


Yeah, but this year is even more fluid than most
SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:41 PM ET
Kind of ironic you chose a post directly to him to say this.
- Jsaquella

Welcome back. I was afraid you were still ignoring me.
stayinthefnnet
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 01.12.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:42 PM ET
It's not.
- SuperSchennBros


fair enough.

we may disagree on this subject, but youve been cordial to my pro pens agenda
ob18
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: That matters less than you hope it does
Joined: 07.20.2007

Jun 16 @ 6:42 PM ET
Yeah, but this year is even more fluid than most
- Jsaquella


Yup, still solid/decent players that can go in a wide range on spots. It's why I can't really go with less than 10 for the Flyers at #17, had a tough time cutting it to that from 19
flyer_nutter
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Unleash the Peanuts, MB
Joined: 10.16.2008

Jun 16 @ 6:43 PM ET
Nope, I have been trying to ignore those who just post to argue, like him & mjl. Today I responded directly. Not sure why, but whatever. I'm going back to my policy if ignoring, though
- Jsaquella


I wonder what category I am put in
SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:43 PM ET
Not a personal thing, but if they cant wait a few years to develop a consistent top tier team, and do it properly they deserve to have losing shoved up their ass.

The draft picks, need to have a much higher internal value to this club. I think, well for me anyway, you have to accept when you just wont be good enough. They need a hell of a lot more elite, and less mediocre on that back end. The days of buying that in FA seem to be at an end.

Hopefully a trade that makes sense can help open that window earlier but I don't see it myself. Praying for Josi.

- flyer_nutter

I agree with you but I also feel youth is more valued now then it's ever been, whether we draft or trade for youth.
Tomahawk
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi.
Joined: 02.04.2009

Jun 16 @ 6:43 PM ET
haha yeah. easier said than done of course.

but still. ladd and wheeler are both decent wingers. id love either. knae is grossly talented.

then trouba, morrisey, ect.

but still, they just need that top center.

- stayinthefnnet


I'd cut off Giroux's right arm for Morrissey... OK, only half-kidding there.

It's a good summer for addressing your last point... although Spezza said he wouldn't go there already.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:43 PM ET
Welcome back. I was afraid you were still ignoring me.
- SuperSchennBros

I will be from here on out. Far too much effort for the return
stayinthefnnet
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 01.12.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:44 PM ET
I agree with you but I also feel youth is more valued now then it's ever been, whether we draft or trade for youth.
- SuperSchennBros

oh yeah. those teams that can squeeze productivity out of ELCs or smaller bridge deals are at such a competitive advantage. literally gold.
77rams
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...
Joined: 09.12.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:44 PM ET
Mock Draft by Patrick King

Has the Flyers going with Travis Sanheim

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...for-florida-in-nhl-draft/

- ob18


I'm kinda diggin' on this Tuch kid, if he's still on the board.

.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:44 PM ET
I wonder what category I am put in
- flyer_nutter

I love you, ya crazy peanut
SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:44 PM ET
fair enough.

we may disagree on this subject, but youve been cordial to my pro pens agenda

- stayinthefnnet

Oh, you're fine. I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I'm just looking for other point of views and you've given your's. I don't disagree with you and I haven't felt disrespected by you in the least.
Giroux_Is_God
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CLASS DISMISSED
Joined: 12.15.2011

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
What a (frank)in circus

I'm going back to watching the soccer game.

...that's when you know....
ob18
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: That matters less than you hope it does
Joined: 07.20.2007

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
I'm kinda diggin' on this Tuch kid, if he's still on the board.

.

- 77rams


He's on my list, I was on the fence about him but did some more looking into him when I got home...........As long as they can be patient and let him develop at Boston College then I'd be all for it.
ravishingone
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: United States, PA
Joined: 06.30.2007

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
I have a high distaste for clubs who are 'competitive' but don't have enough to get over that hump. The aim should be at building a team that can beat the best, not one that can compete.

That whole thing of anything can happen if you make the playoffs is horsepoop in my eyes. Luck happens, but odds play out at the end of most days to me.

- flyer_nutter


I guess I'll respectfully disagree because I see elite pieces already in place.

Goalie - check
1st line center - check
Selke type center -check
Winger depth - check (Voracek, Simmonds, Read - all very good, all under 26)

Does the blueline need to be remixed? Yes, but I disagree with anyone who feels these guys are all scrubs. Certainly I would like to see more organizational depth in all areas. For me, that is where Hexy will make his name or fall short like Homer and Clarke.

flyer_nutter
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Unleash the Peanuts, MB
Joined: 10.16.2008

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
Agree 100%. He can still be used that way in key situations. But give him time away from top matchups also during the season. With better match ups so he maybe get some confidence offensively.
- MJL


The foot speed works against him imo, but the kid does have some game offensively. He isn't a dud in that department.

I'd love to see Couturier with a guy like Read and Simmonds. That's a 2nd line you have established for years that can grow and mature together.

SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
I will be from here on out. Far too much effort for the return
- Jsaquella

Maybe on your end.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Jun 16 @ 6:45 PM ET
I'm kinda diggin' on this Tuch kid, if he's still on the board.

.

- 77rams

I like him too, then people raised concerns & tried to sway me, but I still like him

EDIT: I 100% agree with OB18 on Tuch. Let him develop & he will be fine
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 16 @ 6:46 PM ET
Not a personal thing, but if they cant wait a few years to develop a consistent top tier team, and do it properly they deserve to have losing shoved up their ass.

The draft picks, need to have a much higher internal value to this club. I think, well for me anyway, you have to accept when you just wont be good enough. They need a hell of a lot more elite, and less mediocre on that back end. The days of buying that in FA seem to be at an end.

Hopefully a trade that makes sense can help open that window earlier but I don't see it myself. Praying for Josi.

- flyer_nutter


I believe a team can do both. I don't think you have be a bad time, or stop trying to win, to develop young players. I think it's clear that in the last few seasons they have changed direction, and tried to hold onto the core and draft picks more. An example is the first round pick they traded for Versteeg a few years back. A player chosen with that pick, could be ready to contribute now. That's what they should stop doing if at all possible. If they are in a playoff position this upcoming season, don't trade top picks. Make minor moves if neccessary, but don't go all out to try and win the cup if the team isn't really ready for it. But they don't have to rebuild. They have to make smart moves and make the right moves. They can do both at the same time.
stayinthefnnet
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 01.12.2012

Jun 16 @ 6:47 PM ET
I'd cut off Giroux's right arm for Morrissey... OK, only half-kidding there.

It's a good summer for addressing your last point... although Spezza said he wouldn't go there already.

- Tomahawk


some of the names seemingly available, yeah. its borderline unheard of. although, its pretty apparent why most of the current marriages are ending between center and team.

the trick is to get these guys maybe 4 years ago haha which of course, is virtually impossible.

if you put joe thornton on winnipeg, i think they probably can get in the playoffs. which might be well and good. but if they can hit on a guy and grow into that role, they could be regular playoff visitors with some of the assets they have stocked up.
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