He isnt getting any younger and his contract will be up soon. This team will not contend for at least another 3-4 years. Coburn would be best served as a trade chip for building the future. Not keeping him and having another #4 defensemen at the age of 34-35 by the time we are ready to make a serious run.
- GOA88

I think Coburn could be to the Flyers what Rob Scuderi was to the 08/09 Penguins. He's a solid veteran defenseman who's had a couple of deep playoff runs. Our defense is (hopefully) going to be very young and raw, and I think a guy like Coburn would be nice to have around when the Hagg/Morin/Alt/Ghost/Sanheim's of the team come up.

35 Brains per year
- Streit2ThePoint

Begin the cloning of Ted Williams' head!

Yes, he is at that point where youthful inconstancy is no longer an excuse. If we had playoff Schenn all the time I would not think this way.
- MBFlyerfan

I thought he was their best Dman last year in the playoffs. I just have not seen that Schenn on a nightly basis this season

Hes good at PK because he actually isnt a bad defender. He just lacks speed and he is mostly just playing his part of the box on the PK. It allows him to use all of his best tools.
- GOA88

This is also why we get breathless analysis like "Yeah, the other team had a ton of zone time, but they are just kept to the outside!".

I thought he was their best Dman last year in the playoffs. I just have not seen that Schenn on a nightly basis this season
- 3flyerkids

Except for the playoffs, we have never seen that Schenn on a nightly , or even most nightly basis.

I think Coburn could be to the Flyers what Rob Scuderi was to the 08/09 Penguins. He's a solid veteran defenseman who's had a couple of deep playoff runs. Our defense is (hopefully) going to be very young and raw, and I think a guy like Coburn would be nice to have around when the Hagg/Morin/Alt/Ghost/Sanheim's of the team come up.
- jmatchett383

Possibly, but who knows what deals are made between now and then.

while we're taking a dman like coburn for granted and roasting luke schenn (deservedly) can someone send a memo to couturier and read that its ok for them to score... geezus those two have disappeared offensively

Possibly, but who knows what deals are made between now and then.
- GOA88

You never do know. But I'd rather them deal with a plan in mind. I'm not against moving Coburn, but I think he (or a similar player) could be invaluable to our (hopefully) young future grouping.

Right now, the only players that fit that bill are Coburn, L. Schenn, and AMac. Unless they acquire a different vet on a multi-year deal, Amac/Schenn are they players the Flyers would have to help the young kids if Coburn is dealt. Do you like that scenario?

You never do know. But I'd rather them deal with a plan in mind. I'm not against moving Coburn, but I think he (or a similar player) could be invaluable to our (hopefully) young future grouping.

Right now, the only players that fit that bill are Coburn, L. Schenn, and AMac. Unless they acquire a different vet on a multi-year deal, Amac/Schenn are they players the Flyers would have to help the young kids if Coburn is dealt. Do you like that scenario?
- jmatchett383

NOOOOOO

while we're taking a dman like coburn for granted and roasting luke schenn (deservedly) can someone send a memo to couturier and read that its ok for them to score... geezus those two have disappeared offensively
- JoeRussomanno

One of the biggest reasons for our recent struggles.

We all knew tha Couts and Schenn and some others would have to play to their potential for this team to succeed. It has not happened at all.

He isnt getting any younger and his contract will be up soon. This team will not contend for at least another 3-4 years. Coburn would be best served as a trade chip for building the future. Not keeping him and having another #4 defensemen at the age of 34-35 by the time we are ready to make a serious run.
- GOA88

Sign him to a new contract. He could easily play another 8-9 years. Big physical quality defenseman who can skate like he can, don't grow on trees. All of the young defenseman are not guarantees. And I think the Flyers can get there sooner then 4 years.

I actually didnt mind the deal when it was made. I thought Schenn could become a good shutdown defender. He never improved..... He has his moments but his foot speed is his biggest problem IMO.
- GOA88

He compounds his lack of speed, with poor positioning, and being caught flat footed, puck watching too often. Move your feet kid.

Hes good at PK because he actually isnt a bad defender. He just lacks speed and he is mostly just playing his part of the box on the PK. It allows him to use all of his best tools.
- GOA88

He didn't do a very good job of that in the Columbus game.

while we're taking a dman like coburn for granted and roasting luke schenn (deservedly) can someone send a memo to couturier and read that its ok for them to score... geezus those two have disappeared offensively
- JoeRussomanno

I think this is more on Read than Coots. Read has flat out disappeared. Coots seems overwhelmed, he is a man on an island out there.

Sign him to a new contract. He could easily play another 8-9 years. Big physical quality defenseman who can skate like he can, don't grow on trees. All of the young defenseman are not guarantees. And I think the Flyers can get there sooner then 4 years.
- MJL

Are we watching the same team? There are major holes on this team that need to be addressed and we dont have the cap space to fix it any time soon. Umberger, Vinny and MacDonald have multiple years left on their contract. We lack a true scoring 2nd line center. The D-prospects are only 19-20 years old. Most D-prospects take until about 25 to show their potential. Couts could be close to that true 2nd line center we need but he isnt quite there yet. Career high 39 points and having a very stale year offensivley to date is not going to cut it. That is 3rd line shutdown material.

He isnt getting any younger and his contract will be up soon. This team will not contend for at least another 3-4 years. Coburn would be best served as a trade chip for building the future. Not keeping him and having another #4 defensemen at the age of 34-35 by the time we are ready to make a serious run.
- GOA88

I hope it doesn't take 3-4 years to become a legit contender. Burning prime years of Giroux and Voracek isn't a good thing.

I hope it doesn't take 3-4 years to become a legit contender. Burning prime years of Giroux and Voracek isn't a good thing.
- PLindbergh31

It looks that way to me. Look at the contracts and years it may take for the prospects to be ready. There is no quick fix with their situation.

Are we watching the same team? There are major holes on this team that need to be addressed and we dont have the cap space to fix it any time soon. Umberger, Vinny and MacDonald have multiple years left on their contract. We lack a true scoring 2nd line center. The D-prospects are only 19-20 years old. Most D-prospects take until about 25 to show their potential. Couts could be close to that true 2nd line center we need but he isnt quite there yet. Career high 39 points and having a very stale year offensivley to date is not going to cut it. That is 3rd line shutdown material.
- GOA88

Cap space isn't going to be a big deal. It's great that MacDonald has multiple years left on his deal. He's a quality #3 puck moving two way defenseman. Couturier is 21 years old. He has already been scoring at a 2nd line center level at ES in past seasons. He'll pick it up this year.
They have a strong core of forwards. And if most D prospects take until about 25 to show their potential, why are you so willing to trade Coburn

Sign him to a new contract. He could easily play another 8-9 years. Big physical quality defenseman who can skate like he can, don't grow on trees. All of the young defenseman are not guarantees. And I think the Flyers can get there sooner then 4 years.
- MJL

8 yrs 50 million. Cap hit will be beautiful on the back end when he's 37

I think this is more on Read than Coots. Read has flat out disappeared. Coots seems overwhelmed, he is a man on an island out there.
- MBFlyerfan

True but coots has had opportunities he needs to bury

It looks that way to me. Look at the contracts and years it may take for the prospects to be ready. There is no quick fix with their situation.
- GOA88

You are prob right. I was hoping Hextall had a magic wand he could wave.

Cap space isn't going to be a big deal. It's great that MacDonald has multiple years left on his deal. He's a quality #3 puck moving two way defenseman. Couturier is 21 years old. He has already been scoring at a 2nd line center level at ES in past seasons. He'll pick it up this year.
They have a strong core of forwards. And if most D prospects take until about 25 to show their potential, why are you so willing to trade Coburn
- MJL

Because I have lost faith in this team making any noise any time soon. I want to look into the future. Not trying to make the playoffs en route to another 1st rd exit.

8 yrs 50 million. Cap hit will be beautiful on the back end when he's 37
- Just5

I think the term would be less, and so would the cap hit.

Are we watching the same team? There are major holes on this team that need to be addressed and we dont have the cap space to fix it any time soon. Umberger, Vinny and MacDonald have multiple years left on their contract. We lack a true scoring 2nd line center. The D-prospects are only 19-20 years old. Most D-prospects take until about 25 to show their potential. Couts could be close to that true 2nd line center we need but he isnt quite there yet. Career high 39 points and having a very stale year offensivley to date is not going to cut it. That is 3rd line shutdown material.
- GOA88

Give Laughton line mates

Give Laughton line mates
- JoeRussomanno

Umberger, VLC, VDV he's got the pick of the litter!