I really wonder why Raffl does not get a look on that line with Read and Cooter. I mean he can skate, has size, defensively sound, decent passer. I know he has issue finishing, but his first year in the NHL. Lots of players had trouble adjusting and then went on to be some good scorers. Danny comes to mind. Different type of player, I know, but there is nothing that you can say that would have me believe he couldn't score 20 goals a season.
- Deasr1

I remember Raffl playing on every line including the 3rd.

I tend to agree. I just want to see Coots get a little more offensive help to get him going. And please..PLEASE let him one time. Canon kid.
- Deasr1

For the way Couturier is used, his offensive numbers are pretty good. Flyers need to one, get better as a team defensively. And two, add some other players that can be trusted for defensive zone starts, and some checking shifts. To allow a player like Couturier to see more favorable starts.

Story out about Willie Desjardins shooting down the Pens offer because it was only for two years.

Really have to question the process there...They hire Rutherford and flat out say he's merely a stop gap...I can see why a coaching candidate would want more security than working for a guy who is a long term temp at best
- Jsaquella

When you're the hot available Coach, offering two years is not going to get a deal done with that Coach.

Bill Peters also shot down the Pens. Apparently it's not just the term, it's a lot of things-stop gap GM, no say in staff, apparent micro managing by Mario and Ron Burkle.

For the way Couturier is used, his offensive numbers are pretty good. Flyers need to one, get better as a team defensively. And two, add some other players that can be trusted for defensive zone starts, and some checking shifts. To allow a player like Couturier to see more favorable starts.
- MJL

True, but I fear that he will be pegged as a 3rd line center for his career here. I'm not sure he is ready fro 2nd line duties scoring wise, but I think get him some more PP time and some more offensive zone draws. I'm a little..ok a lot..biased of him. I love the kid and his game. His break away goals are pretty. He has the hands.

Bill Peters also shot down the Pens. Apparently it's not just the term, it's a lot of things-stop gap GM, no say in staff, apparent micro managing by Mario and Ron Burkle.
- Jsaquella

Crosby..player-coach-GM.

I tend to agree. I just want to see Coots get a little more offensive help to get him going. And please..PLEASE let him one time. Canon kid.
- Deasr1

I believe if Hexy can assemble a 4th line to resemble more of a checking line then an energy line it will allow more offensive zone starts for Coots/Read. Also, if Vinny is moved, gotta believe Coots would take over his spot on the 2nd PP unit on the half boards.

Crosby..player-coach-GM.
- Deasr1

I was worried when they fired Shero & Bylsma they'd go out and hire good, exceptional guys to fill those spots.

Rutherford has a Stanley Cup, but other than that has a spotty record as a GM, and he flat out said when he took the job the longest he was staying was 2-3 years.

Now, they have two guys shooting them down in terms of coaching gigs-and both are really solid candidates.

I believe if Hexy can assemble a 4th line to resemble more of a checking line then an energy line it will allow more offensive zone starts for Coots/Read. Also, if Vinny is moved, gotta believe Coots would take over his spot on the 2nd PP unit on the half boards.
- ravishingone

If it's a 4th line you can trust with D-zone starts, it'd be great.

I believe if Hexy can assemble a 4th line to resemble more of a checking line then an energy line it will allow more offensive zone starts for Coots/Read. Also, if Vinny is moved, gotta believe Coots would take over his spot on the 2nd PP unit on the half boards.
- ravishingone

I would like to see that. Coots need to just try shooting more too. He has the gifts to score. He needs just better opportunities. Like more offensive zone draws.

True, but I fear that he will be pegged as a 3rd line center for his career here. I'm not sure he is ready fro 2nd line duties scoring wise, but I think get him some more PP time and some more offensive zone draws. I'm a little..ok a lot..biased of him. I love the kid and his game. His break away goals are pretty. He has the hands.
- Deasr1

I don't think you're biased of him at all. I think the kid is special. And I think the hockey sense that he displays defensively, is also there for the offensive side of the game. But he's so pegged into defensive zone starts and against top lines, because it was paramount to the Flyers winning, that he's hampered offensively. One of the big reasons why the Flyers have to get better at ES play as a team. They need to give the kid a break and put him in some favorable starts. I really think he can score in this League.

I was worried when they fired Shero & Bylsma they'd go out and hire good, exceptional guys to fill those spots.

Rutherford has a Stanley Cup, but other than that has a spotty record as a GM, and he flat out said when he took the job the longest he was staying was 2-3 years.

Now, they have two guys shooting them down in terms of coaching gigs-and both are really solid candidates.
- Jsaquella

We'll never really know, but I believe they really wanted and thought Benning would choose them. I have to believe they had a plan in place when they fired Shero, but somewhere along the line it went to hell and Rutherford became the fall back option.

I was worried when they fired Shero & Bylsma they'd go out and hire good, exceptional guys to fill those spots.

Rutherford has a Stanley Cup, but other than that has a spotty record as a GM, and he flat out said when he took the job the longest he was staying was 2-3 years.

Now, they have two guys shooting them down in terms of coaching gigs-and both are really solid candidates.
- Jsaquella

It's a beautiful thing.


Seriously though, it really says something when you've never had a NHL head coaching gig and you're turning down the chance to coach Crosby and Malkin.

I was worried when they fired Shero & Bylsma they'd go out and hire good, exceptional guys to fill those spots.

Rutherford has a Stanley Cup, but other than that has a spotty record as a GM, and he flat out said when he took the job the longest he was staying was 2-3 years.

Now, they have two guys shooting them down in terms of coaching gigs-and both are really solid candidates.
- Jsaquella

I really see the Pens falling hard the next couple of years. They need some stability in those GM and coach positions. No one really wants to play for sitting ducks. Quack quack (frank)ing Crosby.

I was worried when they fired Shero & Bylsma they'd go out and hire good, exceptional guys to fill those spots.

Rutherford has a Stanley Cup, but other than that has a spotty record as a GM, and he flat out said when he took the job the longest he was staying was 2-3 years.

Now, they have two guys shooting them down in terms of coaching gigs-and both are really solid candidates.
- Jsaquella

You just knew when they opted for Rutherford that the whole thing was about to go pear-shaped. Love it.

It's a beautiful thing.


Seriously though, it really says something when you've never had a NHL head coaching gig and you're turning down the chance to coach Crosby and Malkin.
- hereticpride

Yeah, it's really telling. Scuttlebutt is hinting that Mario and Burkle are just way too involved

I don't think you're biased of him at all. I think the kid is special. And I think the hockey sense that he displays defensively, is also there for the offensive side of the game. But he's so pegged into defensive zone starts and against top lines, because it was paramount to the Flyers winning, that he's hampered offensively. One of the big reasons why the Flyers have to get better at ES play as a team. They need to give the kid a break and put him in some favorable starts. I really think he can score in this League.
- MJL

Agreed. I think he is going to get a little bigger and could learn to plant that big frame ala LeCLair style in front of that net and maybe half board a canon. Read is a perfect partner for him to play with. They need another Read-esque on the other side. Hard to find them for cheap, I know. Schenn-Coots-Read. I wish that line could creat some chemistry

We'll never really know, but I believe they really wanted and thought Benning would choose them. I have to believe they had a plan in place when they fired Shero, but somewhere along the line it went to hell and Rutherford became the fall back option.
- ravishingone

Yeah. Once they lost out on him, it seemed they were only willing to roll the dice on a short term situation. Pierre McGuire was apparently close to taking it, but they couldn't come close to the security he has at NBC

You just knew when they opted for Rutherford that the whole thing was about to go pear-shaped. Love it.
- Tomahawk

Yeah. I mean, had they just hired him, it might be a bit different, but to come out and answer the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" question with "Drinking Pina Coladas in Florida for 2 years"....

I really see the Pens falling hard the next couple of years. They need some stability in those GM and coach positions. No one really wants to play for sitting ducks. Quack quack (frank)ing Crosby.
- Deasr1

Meh, I wouldn't go that far. Their D is going to be freaking scary when Pouliot and Harrington step in and if Maatta doesn't experience any drop off. All they really need to do is to cobble together some competent forward depth and they'll be fine.

Meh, I wouldn't go that far. Their D is going to be freaking scary when Pouliot and Harrington step in and if Maatta doesn't experience any drop off. All they really need to do is to cobble together some competent forward depth and they'll be fine.
- Tomahawk

Maybe, nothing says they are bonafide super stars

I really see the Pens falling hard the next couple of years. They need some stability in those GM and coach positions. No one really wants to play for sitting ducks. Quack quack (frank)ing Crosby.
- Deasr1

With so much money and so many years devoted to Crosby and Malkin the Letang deal cripples them. It really does. They should just thank their lucky stars Rutherford was dumb enough to take Jordan Staal when he did otherwise the Pens would look a whole lot like a grease fire right now. Then again, they just hired Rutherford to steer their ship.

I've said it time and time again. They won't build another great team until they decide to move one of Malkin or Crosby. They are in cap hell and worst of all they've squandered countless draft picks in recent years. Their farm system is in terrible shape. At least we have a bunch of young talented guys on our NHL squad to justify having a weaker system for a few years. In terms of young up and comers they are in pretty bad shape at both levels.

With so much money and so many years devoted to Crosby and Malkin the Letang deal cripples them. It really does. They should just thank their lucky stars Rutherford was dumb enough to take Jordan Staal when he did otherwise the Pens would look a whole lot like a grease fire right now.

I've said it time and time again. They won't build another great team until they decide to move one of Malkin or Crosby. They are in cap hell and worst of all they've squandered countless draft picks in recent years. Their farm system is in terrible shape. At least we have a bunch of young talented guys on our NHL squad to justify having a weaker system for a few years. In terms of young up and comers they are in pretty bad shape at both levels.
- hereticpride

But as long as they have those two, the'll still be good. I just want to watch as Crosby starts to ponder his future as that teams slides into a slow painful down slide. I can at least dream.

With so much money and so many years devoted to Crosby and Malkin the Letang deal cripples them. It really does. They should just thank their lucky stars Rutherford was dumb enough to take Jordan Staal when he did otherwise the Pens would look a whole lot like a grease fire right now.

I've said it time and time again. They won't build another great team until they decide to move one of Malkin or Crosby. They are in cap hell and worst of all they've squandered countless draft picks in recent years. Their farm system is in terrible shape. At least we have a bunch of young talented guys on our NHL squad to justify having a weaker system for a few years. In terms of young up and comers they are in pretty bad shape at both levels.
- hereticpride

There's the rub. When they won the Cup, Gonchar was a very useful top pairing d-man at both ends of the ice. Letang looks great in highlight videos on the PP and carrying the puck into the offensive zone, but his play in the defensive zone is average at best. At his cap hit, he can't be average in any zone.

There's the rub. When they won the Cup, Gonchar was a very useful top pairing d-man at both ends of the ice. Letang looks great in highlight videos on the PP and carrying the puck into the offensive zone, but his play in the defensive zone is average at best. At his cap hit, he can't be average in any zone.
- ravishingone

Would you take him as is on this team, as is?