Frank continues to plumb his thimble sized depth of hockey knowledge
- Jsaquella

Just from a writing standpoint, I think the whole haircut metaphor was bit overplayed.

He's also been used in a ridiculously heavy defensive role, usually playing most of his shifts against the best competition the Flyers face. He did only have two fewer points than Schenn, despite Schenn facing far easier competition and being used in a role that should have seen him score a lot more.

If the coach used him more like Boston used Bergeron, he'd provide offense.
- Jsaquella

in your opinion he would provide the offense. what has he shown at the p[ro level that he can produce like bergeron?

so 2 coaches have failed him i suppose.

The 4th line has promise of being the Flyers' best fourth line in years. They were very effective in their two games together, showing speed (Bellemare and Rinaldo), creativity (Bellemare and Akeson), aggressive forechecking (Rinaldo) and some offensive ability (Bellemare and Akeson).

The Lecavalier line is, well, a work in progress at five-on-five.
- bmeltzer

Still not sold on Rinaldo. Looked very good in preseason & says the right things, but he's been saying right things for a few years now.

Also not a fan of Vinny & RJ

He had all of two fewer points than Braydon Schenn last season while playing a much more defensive oriented role -- against tougher opposition and while starting a much higher percentage of his shifts in the defensive zone. Goal scoring wise, Couturier hasn't taken big steps yet but his point production even last year was fine for his role.
- bmeltzer

Some of that is due to Schenn not blossoming as quickly as everyone thought either. If you are comparing Couturier, or Schenn for that matter, to Mackinnon for example, that their point production is insufficient.

I think Couturier is fine for a 3rd line shutdown center. With Simmonds now on the line Cout's point production should increase. He deserves a fair chance with a stable line to see what he can really do.

The real question is whether he is a true #2 center that can anchor a line that can take enough pressure off of the 1st line and G. I personally think long term they'll need a more of dynamic #2 center. Time will tell...

Not good news about Simmonds. Can't afford for him to miss an extended period of time. Hope his injury isn't more serious than they are saying.

disagree with the 4th line. 2 preseason games doesnt mean much though it is better than them looking bad inthose games. as i said time will tell. they will not have much puck possesion imo. over the long haul akeson will look out of place and be removed from that line. defensivly it will be a challange as well.

hopefully bellemare gets to move up as i he looks liek he can add some value on another line. let him take raflles spot which i think will end up happening at some point.

would they put vinny with bellemare and raffle at some point do you think? then
- rinaldo

The 4th line has hemmed the opposition in numerous times thus far. How can they do that without much puck possession...

The 4th line has promise of being the Flyers' best fourth line in years. They were very effective in their two games together, showing speed (Bellemare and Rinaldo), creativity (Bellemare and Akeson), aggressive forechecking (Rinaldo) and some offensive ability (Bellemare and Akeson).

The Lecavalier line is, well, a work in progress at five-on-five.
- bmeltzer

I have been screaming for a solid 4th line for a long time and I am very happy with what that line has shown in the pre-season. And maybe playing with guys with a little skill in Bellemare and Akeson will really make Rinaldo buckle down like he has shown so far than skating with the likes of Hall (pure defense) and Rosehill, etc

He's also been used in a ridiculously heavy defensive role, usually playing most of his shifts against the best competition the Flyers face. He did only have two fewer points than Schenn, despite Schenn facing far easier competition and being used in a role that should have seen him score a lot more.

If the coach used him more like Boston used Bergeron, he'd provide offense.
- Jsaquella

Yes, but some of that is on Couturier too. He's said numerous times lately that the coaches wanted him to press his offense last year, but he thinks too much about his defensive responsibilities.

I agree that he now has stronger wingers and a mandate to crank up the O. How he responds has some major implications to how Hextall moves forward.

Andrew MacDonald - Braydon Coburn

What does Berube see in this pairing that we don't?

What does Berube see in this pairing that we don't?
- Feanor

I think the issue is more with the alternatives. If you put Coburn with Grossmann, with whom he's had some success, and Luke Schenn with MDZ, then that leaves A Mac and Streit. I'm guessing that Berube thinks they'd be too soft. I personally would try it, as Streit and A Mac played well together for NYI, though you have to shield them in some situations.

What does Berube see in this pairing that we don't?
- Feanor

The not worst combination?

in your opinion he would provide the offense. what has he shown at the p
- rinaldo[ro level that he can produce like bergeron?

so 2 coaches have failed him i suppose.

Bergeron is 29 years old. Couturier is 21. Lets not throw him on the bust pile just yet.

I think the issue is more with the alternatives. If you put Coburn with Grossmann, with whom he's had some success, and Luke Schenn with MDZ, then that leaves A Mac and Streit. I'm guessing that Berube thinks they'd be too soft. I personally would try it, as Streit and A Mac played well together for NYI, though you have to shield them in some situations.
- TheGreat28

They also played well together for us in limited minutes last season.

Bergeron is 29 years old. Couturier is 21. Lets not throw him on the bust pile just yet.
- MBFlyerfan

For a guy who's 6'11 and 250 lb, you'd think he could use his size a little better.

For a guy who's 6'11 and 250 lb, you'd think he could use his size a little better.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, but Bergeron bench presses gold bars at Fort Knox for fun. If the US military cant contain him, how do we expect NHL forwards to do it?

What does Berube see in this pairing that we don't?
- Feanor

They both can skate and one brings a more offensive game while the other is a steady eddy. It sounds good like that, but man does it look bad on the ice.

I'm happy they kept Jones over Rosehill. He only has 63 PIM in those 128 games also. Rosehill has 352 in 117 games (mostly fights obviously).

I'm happy they kept Jones over Rosehill. He only has 63 PIM in those 128 games also. Rosehill has 352 in 117 games (mostly fights obviously).
- NickTheKid87

Well, then brace yourself. Rosehill will be back Wed or Thursday morning.

The 4th line has hemmed the opposition in numerous times thus far. How can they do that without much puck possession...
- Giroux_Is_God

2 preseason games. get back to me after 15 regular season games to reevaluate.

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

Everyone is just really excited about how the young defenseman looked in the pre season against pre season competition. We'll see what happens when the young defenseman get in the lineup, and go through the inevitable growing pains.

Well, then brace yourself. Rosehill will be back Wed or Thursday morning.
- TheGreat28

But he doesn't have to PLAY.

Just from a writing standpoint, I think the whole haircut metaphor was bit overplayed.
- johndewar

He isn't the most talented writer on the block.

Bergeron is 29 years old. Couturier is 21. Lets not throw him on the bust pile just yet.
- MBFlyerfan

i didnt compare him to bergeron by the way. where did i call him a bust? maybe it is just me though i expect a little more from the #8 overall pick who may have gone #1 had he not been sick.

imo i just dont see the offensive upside.

But he doesn't have to PLAY.
- NickTheKid87

Yeah, he'll get the Riley treatment lol

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

He takes a shot at Grossmann, Coburn and a less direct shot at Luke Schenn. Then he praises Hextall for the group of young defensemen, which were all drafted under Holmgren.