True, and I'm not sure how much some really improved

I don't think the Pens or Rangers got any better.

On paper Columbus improved, but it's a moot point if they don't get Johansen signed by opening day.

The Isles improved a lot in goal, but they still have holes on D and depth issues

The Devils are counting on significant offense from some very old players.

The Hurricanes suck

The Caps are an enigma. They could finish anywhere from 75-105 points and I wouldn't really be surprised. It most likely comes down to does Ovie buy into Trotz's system. If yes, they will a good team, if no, they could quickly become a train wreck.
- BiggE

The Pens, to me, improved a lot.
- Their bottom 6 will be drastically better this season (Downie not included).
- They had the most man-games lost due to injury last year
- They got rid of Orpik/Engelland, and their replacements cannot be worse.
- They lost 1-year standout Niksanen and replaced him with a better player in Ehrhoff.

They should win the division fairly easily.

True, and I'm not sure how much some really improved

I don't think the Pens or Rangers got any better.

On paper Columbus improved, but it's a moot point if they don't get Johansen signed by opening day.

The Isles improved a lot in goal, but they still have holes on D and depth issues

The Devils are counting on significant offense from some very old players.

The Hurricanes suck

The Caps are an enigma. They could finish anywhere from 75-105 points and I wouldn't really be surprised. It most likely comes down to does Ovie buy into Trotz's system. If yes, they will a good team, if no, they could quickly become a train wreck.
- BiggE

Washington is a headless chicken. I respect Trotz as a coach but why the (frank) do they keep trying to make that team something they are not?

Should have hired a Laviolette, played to their strengths and stop trying to ram a square peg into a round hole, starting with Ovechkin.

Can he? Yes. Will he? Remains to be seen. He's got the skill and we all saw that his rookie year. I think he is such a lockdown defensive guy and we rely on him for that part, that I don't know if the goals will come.

Wild card in all this is Vinny. If he gets dealt and Coots moves up(assumng Vinny is 2nd line C) than the scoring will come. Until than I think Sean is a great 3rd liner in it's truest form.

Forgive me if I repeated anything that was already posted. Busy Friday for me.

Washington is a headless chicken. I respect Trotz as a coach but why the (frank) do they keep trying to make that team something they are not?

Should have hired a Laviolette, played to their strengths and stop trying to ram a square peg into a round hole, starting with Ovechkin.
- flyer_nutter

They are built with a roster to emulate the 1980's Oilers/ early-90's Penguins, but they don't have the depth to do it. That's why they always look so good in the regular season and have early playoff exits. That, and the fact that they played in the SE division for so long.

I think the biggest hurdle is that other divisional teams have improved while the Flyers, IMO, made lateral moves for the immediate future that will pay off in a year or two.

Long term the Flyers are in good shape, just this year I think they will be in a fight for a wild card
- Jsaquella

Maybe, But I don't really see that any of them improved substantially. I do agree that we are a couple of years away from being a real force, but I still think that due to the expected improvement of players already on the team. The Flyers could be better. I just don't see them being markedly worse by any means.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/570661


- Tomahawk

giroux is so good with those no-look passes like on that first video. that one replay shows how good he sells it

Washington is a headless chicken. I respect Trotz as a coach but why the (frank) do they keep trying to make that team something they are not?

Should have hired a Laviolette, played to their strengths and stop trying to ram a square peg into a round hole, starting with Ovechkin.
- flyer_nutter

absolutely. The trotz hiring blew my mind honestly

What happens in May?
- jmatchett383

Watching other teams go deeper in the playoffs

Envy

is nutter still here

It's no wonder the Flyers struggled so much against the CBJ last season.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/570012

Someone wake me up when camp actually starts, thanks!

Till then I'm returning to my favorite pastimes, drinking scotch and playing guitar!!

It's a lot more fun than making up endless line combos, whining about Rinaldo or, god forbid, discussing advanced stats!
- BiggE

Substitute modelo especail and ketel one for scotch here, and add in following the Reading Royals signings. They did great it seems and the help from the Flyers/Phantoms will make a nice roster. The new owner has made a lot of investments, new high tech scoreboard for the rink and 2 new end screens, thats bigger $$$ for a league with a $12,000 weekly salary cap.

Let me know if you are coming to my gig when you are done yours!

is nutter still here
- Giroux_Is_God

Occasionally lurking.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Can Couturier Grow His Offensive Game?
Co
- bmeltzer

Couturier and Read in my mind have something even more special then Giroux and Voracek. Couturier isn't exactly on the same level for setting up or creating plays as Giroux but Couturier seems to have his ways of finding Read and setting up Read.

jake is voppa
- Crimsoninja

vagr is a better fit.

Occasionally lurking.
- flyer_nutter

Check your pms please

Check your pms please
- Giroux_Is_God

well aren't you thoughtful

well aren't you thoughtful
- wilsonecho91

It was leaked nudes of Jennifer Lawrence and BiggE.

It was leaked nudes of Jennifer Lawrence and BiggE.
- flyer_nutter

oh, i thought you may have been cramping.

oh, i thought you may have been cramping.
- wilsonecho91

I had a whole jumbo can of baked beans yesterday. That may be coming. Will keep you boys in the loop.

Anyone know the entire roster ratings?
- Philly2088

Giroux - 90
Voracek- 87
Simmonds - 86
Lecavalier - 85
B Schenn - 84
Read - 84
Umberger - 84
Couturier - 83 (with only 4 star defense)
Raffl - 80
White - 80
Rinaldo - 78
Jones - 76
Rosehill - 75
(Bellemare isn't on the roster currently)
Macdonald - 85
Coburn - 85
Del Zotto - 85
L Schenn - 84
Streit - 84
Timonen - 83
Grossmann - 82
Schultz - 80
Pronger - 76
Mason - 85
Emery - 83

I had a whole jumbo can of baked beans yesterday. That may be coming. Will keep you boys in the loop.
- flyer_nutter

Substitute modelo especail and ketel one for scotch here, and add in following the Reading Royals signings. They did great it seems and the help from the Flyers/Phantoms will make a nice roster. The new owner has made a lot of investments, new high tech scoreboard for the rink and 2 new end screens, thats bigger $$$ for a league with a $12,000 weekly salary cap.

Let me know if you are coming to my gig when you are done yours!
- Steelmanpa

Sadly, I don't think I can make it. The missus has to get up early Sunday to do some stuff with her ma and she wants to head home right after the gig. Have fun though, and let me know if you ever play anywhere near the south jersey shore!

It was leaked nudes of Jennifer Lawrence and BiggE.
- flyer_nutter

I hope for your sake they did a lot of airbrushing!!

Giroux - 90
Voracek- 87
Simmonds - 86
Lecavalier - 85
B Schenn - 84
Read - 84
Umberger - 84
Couturier - 83 (with only 4 star defense)
Raffl - 80
White - 80
Rinaldo - 78
Jones - 76
Rosehill - 75
(Bellemare isn't on the roster currently)
Macdonald - 85
Coburn - 85
Del Zotto - 85
L Schenn - 84
Streit - 84
Timonen - 83
Grossmann - 82
Schultz - 80
Pronger - 76
Mason - 85
Emery - 83
- JAKEw1234

LOL, even concussed and done, Pronger still rates higher than Rosehill!

Giroux - 90
Voracek- 87
Simmonds - 86
Lecavalier - 85
B Schenn - 84
Read - 84
Umberger - 84
Couturier - 83 (with only 4 star defense)
Raffl - 80
White - 80
Rinaldo - 78
Jones - 76
Rosehill - 75
(Bellemare isn't on the roster currently)
Macdonald - 85
Coburn - 85
Del Zotto - 85
L Schenn - 84
Streit - 84
Timonen - 83
Grossmann - 82
Schultz - 80
Pronger - 76
Mason - 85
Emery - 83
- JAKEw1234

White too high
Rinaldo too high
Rosehill too high
Del Zotto I don't believe should be higher then Streit in any NHL game.
If Timonen plays, better up that rating.
Either make Pronger a 90 or get him out of the game completely.