it was a time machine post, I get it now

my bad
- Marc D

You are fail.

Timonen sucks
Streit sucks
B Schenn is a bust
Coots was a one-hit wonder
Read is overrated
Giroux is regressing
Coburn sucks
Simmonds sucks
Talbot sucks
Voracek has peaked
Grossmann sucks
L Schenn is the backbone of our D
Hartnell sucks
Mason won't be good
Emery is a cripple
Call up Morin now
- jmatchett383

All true. They were horrible last year. Luckily they scored Ehlers in the draft

Considering the Flyers weren't exactly a powerhouse at even strength last season, I have no problem with completely shuffling the lines and going with:

Raffl-Giroux-VLC
Umberger-Schenn-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Bellemare-White or Laughton-Rinaldo or Akeson

If Brayden gets off to a great start and there are whispers around the league from teams who want to make a deal for him, do you pull the trigger and trade him?

He shows flashes here and there but at times I asked myself "Is Brayden even playing today?" because he kinda just vanished was hardly noticable out there on the ice.

Obviously we all want this kid to do well, but I don't want to make it seem like that he automatically becomes untouchable also. Before he got the extension I feel if there was a deal good enough the Flyers brass would have made a move to deal him. Just my 2 cents.

Considering the Flyers weren't exactly a powerhouse at even strength last season, I have no problem with completely shuffling the lines and going with:

Raffl-Giroux-VLC
Umberger-Schenn-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Bellemare-White or Laughton-Rinaldo or Akeson
- BiggE

Man, I think the world of Claude Giroux, but asking him to produce 80-ish points with Raffl and Vinny on his wings...that's a damn heavy lift, Big.

I like Schenn better at center, have said that all along. But it would be better for the team if he could become a 25-30 goal, 60-point LW.

Because trading Vinny might be even harder than watching him try to play on the wing. So to me, you just gotta put him at 2C, give that line Raffl as its defensive conscience, and hope they break even for the season, as a unit.

If Brayden gets off to a great start and there are whispers around the league from teams who want to make a deal for him, do you pull the trigger and trade him?

He shows flashes here and there but at times I asked myself "Is Brayden even playing today?" because he kinda just vanished was hardly noticable out there on the ice.

Obviously we all want this kid to do well, but I don't want to make it seem like that he automatically becomes untouchable also. Before he got the extension I feel if there was a deal good enough the Flyers brass would have made a move to deal him. Just my 2 cents.
- Pelle31Forever

First of all, if Brayden Schenn gets off to a good start, that's a good thing for the Flyers, right? I wouldn't be looking to deal him if that is the case.

That said, if someone is looking to provide us with the legitimate #1 defenseman we all know the Flyers need and they need Brayden Schenn to consummate that deal, I'd probably do it.

All true. They were horrible last year. Luckily they scored Ehlers in the draft
- Giroux_Is_God

Many fanbases are hard on some players, but I have to admit, Philly has a way of being hard on ALL the players.

If Claude Giroux played somewhere else, he'd be talked about in reverent tones.

In Philly, if he gets off to a tough start? The guy's Fraude Giroux.

Don't know why that is. Will never understand it. But it's pretty much always been that way, for as long as I can remember. If the 24/7 news cycle existed back in the 1970s, I'm sure Bob Clarke would've been just another small grinder who doesn't score enough goals.

Bill you say he is an average:
Skater
Average at best defender
Below average face-off man
Average play maker

So what is he actually good at? Scoring goals and winning puck battles where he is also inconsistent? What exactly is his potential?
- mke75

He doesn't flat out suck at anything. So there's that!

Man, I think the world of Claude Giroux, but asking him to produce 80-ish points with Raffl and Vinny on his wings...that's a damn heavy lift, Big.

I like Schenn better at center, have said that all along. But it would be better for the team if he could become a 25-30 goal, 60-point LW.

Because trading Vinny might be even harder than watching him try to play on the wing. So to me, you just gotta put him at 2C, give that line Raffl as its defensive conscience, and hope they break even for the season, as a unit.
- AllInForFlyers

My thought on those lines are as follows:

1. Raffl gets in on the forecheck and works the corners, Giroux is the playmaker and gets the puck to VLC where he wants it. If they back off on G too much expecting the pass, he can go right to the net instead. Considering VLC scored 20 with a bad back and being bounced all over the lineup, perhaps he scores 30+ with G.

2. With a playmaker/puck carrier like Voracek on his wing, Schenn could flirt with 30 goals and 55 points. Umberger adds solid 2 way play on the left side

3. Read and Couturier already work well together and adding Simmonds to that duo could really make the line a 2-way force

While Giroux's numbers may dip somewhat in this scenario, overall IMO, the lineup is improved at 5/5 by now having 3 lines that can score. And, if they eventually try PEB-Laughton-Akeson, they could, much like the Red Wings of a few years ago, actually have 4 lines that can score.

If Akeson makes the team, who slips to the 4th line?
- bradleyc4

I would say Raffl, only becasue I think he has the skillset and character to play that role better then someone in the dog house or a potential disgruntled albatross.

Bill you say he is an average:
Skater
Average at best defender
Below average face-off man
Average play maker

So what is he actually good at? Scoring goals and winning puck battles where he is also inconsistent? What exactly is his potential?
- mke75

He is a good hitter and has one of the best wrist shots on the team. I think his main hindrance is his speed. That is why I think he would be most effective at center. If you put him with two speedy wingers to get after pucks and back off defenders, he could get the time and space he needs to show off his play-making skills and use his shot. He just isn't fast enough or good enough on his edges to create that time and space for himself.

Timonen sucks
Streit sucks
B Schenn is a bust
Coots was a one-hit wonder
Read is overrated
Giroux is regressing
Coburn sucks
Simmonds sucks
Talbot sucks
Voracek has peaked
Grossmann sucks
L Schenn is the backbone of our D
Hartnell sucks
Mason won't be good
Emery is a cripple
Call up Morin now
- jmatchett383

the flyers are in serious trouble if slow foot Luke is their backbone

the flyers are in serious trouble if slow foot Luke is their backbone
- vejim

Ofcourse. I am just waiting for my 4 year 20 mill contract.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'm sure Holmgren will give it to you, but it'll have to be as a cotton candy vendor now, not as a hockey player.

I'm sure Holmgren will give it to you, but it'll have to be as a cotton candy vendor now, not as a hockey player.
- Tomahawk

I would have some pretty high expectations for that cotton candy

I would have some pretty high expectations for that cotton candy
- aflyerpower8

Salary paid out in 20 million skittles, not $'s.

Schenn-Giroux-Vorcek
Raffl/Akeson/umber-VL-Simmer
Raffl/Akeson/Umber-Couts-Read
Raffl/Akeson/Umber-White-PEB

I think that the lines will be in pairs other then the top line. Then we will see a 3 man rotation on the wing depending on the game situation (winning/losing, fo spot, after pp/pk and other teams line).

Schenn-Giroux-Vorcek
Raffl/Akeson/umber-VL-Simmer
Raffl/Akeson/Umber-Couts-Read
Raffl/Akeson/Umber-White-PEB

I think that the lines will be in pairs other then the top line. Then we will see a 3 man rotation on the wing depending on the game situation (winning/losing, fo spot, after pp/pk and other teams line).
- AGL_91

VL/Simmer is a bad pairing IMO. Neither one is good at carrying the puck, or much of a playmaker.

I agree with you. I wouldn't mind seeing Raffl play with VL though. He needs all the help defensively he can get.

Schenn-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmer
Raffl-VL-Umberger
Bellemare-Laughts-Akeson/Rinaldo

That wouldn't be my favorite lineup, but it would appease all players while giving the young guys more offensive opportunities.
- PhillySportsGuy

Totally agree, Couter has to be the #2 center and Schenn should gain confidence playing with G and Jake. Once Schenn starts scoring and gaining confidence he will score like he did in junior and I think this will be the year.

Excellent blog as usual Mr. Meltzer

Summer bites it.

I cant wait for game action and to really see a season filled with nightly advanced stats "discussions" on AMAC, Schenns and Grossman.
Oh yeah DelZotto will be under the microscope too.

Maybe we can simplify to it, well that guy gave Schenn windburn going around him, or that guy faked MDZ out of his jock strap with that deke

The Flyers will win 98 games between now and July.

The Flyers will win 98 games between now and July.
- jmatchett383

how

The Flyers will win 98 games between now and July.
- jmatchett383

Only if they all grow beards.

how
- 2Real

You gotta be (frank)ing kidding me.