He had a great playoffs a few years ago and an okay season last year. This season, like everyone not named Giroux or Voracek, he has done nothing outstanding defensively(-3 in 22 games) or offensively (8 points in 22 games).

My question on Couturier is when will the excuses stop.
He is young
He is being used in the wrong role
He has meh wingers.


I think he would be an above average 3 line defensive center , which is a valuable asset to have.
I think he would be a below average 2 line center.

I just don't understand the untouchable part about him..Assuming realistic trades to me you have Giroux, Voracek and Mason as the only untouchable players on this team.
- opeth_pa

I feel Laughton's arrival is going to do wonders for Coots. Eventually he'll be able to share some of the tougher minutes, freeing them both to do more offensively.

I'm ready for Luke to get back in

Guess I'm a masochist because I'll watch today knowing the likely outcome
- Marc D

I'm on a flight to Florida right now. Thinking about finding biggE so he can put my knowledge of whiskey to shame.

I'll say it how I want to say it. And you can say it how you want to say it. Points per minute is badly flawed.
- MJL

I'll say it how I want to say it. And you can say it how you want to say it. Points per minute is badly flawed.
- MJL

rekt

But again, do we want to construct a team with no defensive minded forwards? Especiall if we continue to manage with a sub par D. Also, he's young.. I think he's going to improve and become more consistent and I'm tired of seeing us give up on younger talent and seeing them blossom with other teams.
- Hextall271

As am I. And I hope Hextall is as well.

He had a great playoffs a few years ago and an okay season last year. This season, like everyone not named Giroux or Voracek, he has done nothing outstanding defensively(-3 in 22 games) or offensively (8 points in 22 games).

My question on Couturier is when will the excuses stop.
He is young
He is being used in the wrong role
He has meh wingers.


I think he would be an above average 3 line defensive center , which is a valuable asset to have.
I think he would be a below average 2 line center.

I just don't understand the untouchable part about him..Assuming realistic trades to me you have Giroux, Voracek and Mason as the only untouchable players on this team.
- opeth_pa

Having a player that is elite defensively, while also being able to produce offensively, is an incredibly valuable player to have. And he's only 21. If they could get a #1 defenseman for Couturier, I'd trade him. But not for anything else.

I'm ready for Luke to get back in

Guess I'm a masochist because I'll watch today knowing the likely outcome
- Marc D

Luke in for who? The other Holmgren albatross MacDonald?

So you disregard Eberle's past production, but you use Couturier's 39 point season last year in your argument that he has offensive potential?

I think what those stats show is that Eberle is just a more naturally gifted goal scorer than Schenn.
- rangerdanger94

I will say that B Schenn has only recently started to blossom...up until now he hadn't really had a featured scoring/pp role for an extended time and he wasn't playing with confidence like now...I think we have to see how far he can take his game in this development period before we can make any conclusions about his value vs. an Eberle or anyone else.

I'd rate Cooter higher than Moore or Boyle. Having said that, I would send Coots in a package for the right number 1 dman.
- Hextall271

Barring a team taking VLC
or RJ off our hands, I dont make a move right now. IMO, start playing for the future now. Send RJ to the Phantoms, scratch VLC. Decide who the 4 best centers are and fill in the lineup around them.

I'd like to see G and Jake split up and see what happens. Also, nothing wrong with Coots being a 3rd line center going forward as long as he is paid like one. We know how good of a shutdown center he can be.

For the D, play whoever is playing best until some of the younger guys are ready. In saying that, if someone will take Macdonald off our hands, I would consider that. Too many years left on that contract.

This team has been hard to watch for several years. Since the Pronger injury the team has lost its personality. For as good as they were with Pronger, there was no guarantee of a Cup and by now even a healthy Pronger would be less effective. That's the danger of building around a guy in his mid-thirties. The chickens have come home to roost from the Pronger void and personnel decisions that left the wrong mix of players. So here we are either way. It's gonna take time and I hope Hextall is patient but I think the next great Flyers team will bear little resemblance to the current squad with maybe 3 or 4 current players remaining. I really like the defense prospects that are in the pipeline. Why not cash out guys like Coburn, Schenn and Grossman for picks and get some bon fide wingers who will mature with the young defensemen?

He had a great playoffs a few years ago and an okay season last year. This season, like everyone not named Giroux or Voracek, he has done nothing outstanding defensively(-3 in 22 games) or offensively (8 points in 22 games).

My question on Couturier is when will the excuses stop.
He is young
He is being used in the wrong role
He has meh wingers.


I think he would be an above average 3 line defensive center , which is a valuable asset to have.
I think he would be a below average 2 line center.

I just don't understand the untouchable part about him..Assuming realistic trades to me you have Giroux, Voracek and Mason as the only untouchable players on this team.
- opeth_pa

I think everyone here would trade anyone to make them better
They have some great pieces right now
A #1 center, a top winger, a legit starting goalie and a shut down center

They are missing the #1D and it kills them

So if they are trading their shut down center hopefully it is part of a deal to get that #1 D.

Could they use another scoring winger? Sure but the bigger need is the top all situation D man.

No one here would complain (well someone probably would) if Couts trade brought back that player

I will say that B Schenn has only recently started to blossom...up until now he hadn't really had a featured scoring/pp role for an extended time until now and he wasn't playing with confidence like now...I think we have to see how far he can take his game in this development period before we can make any conclusions about his value vs. an Eberle or anyone else.
- exlund

People were fearful that if Akeson was claimed on waivers, Akeson would become the next Patrick Sharp. I think this is nonsense thinking. Brayden Schenn on the other hand will 100% make us regret the move.

I'm on a flight to Florida right now. Thinking about finding biggE so he can put my knowledge of whiskey to shame.
- funmaster18

Good plan
I like it
Say hi to biggE

I wonder if Chip Kelly would be able to coach two teams in philadelphia

Luke in for who? The other Holmgren albatross MacDonald?
- PLindbergh31

Schultz can sit a game or two.

I'd rotate Schultz, Luke and CaCo as the 6th guy.

As am I. And I hope Hextall is as well.
- 77rams

I don't think Hexy expected this season to go off the rails as it has, but he knows it's not a contender. The real shot we took was losing Timonen off the hop. Once that happened, I said.. uh oh, might be a long season.

People were fearful that if Akeson was claimed on waivers, Akeson would become the next Patrick Sharp. I think this is nonsense thinking. Brayden Schenn on the other hand will 100% make us regret the move.
- SuperSchennBros

Yeah, personally, I don't think Akeson has Sharp-like upside...but I can see the comparison in terms of a coach discounting a player that eventually gets sold low/discarded by the org. only to blossom elsewhere. Since there's little risk in keeping him around, I think people want the Flyers to retain that potential in-house, thus we're happy he wasn't claimed...I could see a scenario where he's put into a proper scoring role with the Phantoms, regains his confidence and production and down the line maybe gets another shot, perhaps under a different coach.

Only constructive criticism would be to pump your chest a bit harder and try to insult the other poster next time
- funmaster18

I'm still a little new at this heel turn thing, I shall meditate on this

I think I have to feel sorry for Simmonds because I'm seeing a guy leading by example for that line but isn't seeing opportunities at even strength with Giroux. Simmonds is a top line player who has never played on the top line. It's a gamble but I'd split G and Jake. I think they're good together and apart.
- SuperSchennBros

Simmonds has two linemates who work hard, battle for the puck, take the body and make things happen. And that line has looked very good, and it seems to have given Wayne a spark. I don't break it up, and I don't agree that Simmonds is a top line player.

I think everyone here would trade anyone to make them better
They have some great pieces right now
A #1 center, a top winger, a legit starting goalie and a shut down center

They are missing the #1D and it kills them

So if they are trading their shut down center hopefully it is part of a deal to get that #1 D.

Could they use another scoring winger? Sure but the bigger need is the top all situation D man.

No one here would complain (well someone probably would) if Couts trade brought back that player
- Marc D

Only if Hextall could somehow rid this team of contracts such as Umbungler, VLC, and MacDonald, and get an acceptable return for LSchenn, it'd be a wonderful holiday.

I think I have to feel sorry for Simmonds because I'm seeing a guy leading by example for that line but isn't seeing opportunities at even strength with Giroux. Simmonds is a top line player who has never played on the top line. It's a gamble but I'd split G and Jake. I think they're good together and apart.
- SuperSchennBros

Simmonds has looked good with Laughton so far. For big parts of Friday's game they were the Flyers best line.

I'm not averse to trying Simmond's with Giroux but feel the chances of splitting up G and Jake are slim.

What hell is going on with Simmonds?
- rangerdanger94

players come here and forget how to play hockey......being a flyer is contagious

Yeah, personally, I don't think Akeson has Sharp-like upside...but I can see the comparison in terms of a coach discounting a player that eventually gets sold low/discarded by the org. only to blossom elsewhere. Since there's little risk in keeping him around, I think people want the Flyers to retain that potential in-house, thus we're happy he wasn't claimed...I could see a scenario where he's put into a proper scoring role with the Phantoms, regains his confidence and production and down the line maybe gets another shot, perhaps under a different coach.
- exlund

I'm glad that he made it through waivers, but I'm not surprised that he did. Do you still believe the top realm of his upside may be 60 pts?

Barring a team taking VLC
or RJ off our hands, I dont make a move right now. IMO, start playing for the future now. Send RJ to the Phantoms, scratch VLC. Decide who the 4 best centers are and fill in the lineup around them.

I'd like to see G and Jake split up and see what happens. Also, nothing wrong with Coots being a 3rd line center going forward as long as he is paid like one. We know how good of a shutdown center he can be.

For the D, play whoever is playing best until some of the younger guys are ready. In saying that, if someone will take Macdonald off our hands, I would consider that. Too many years left on that contract.
- FlyerFan16

I know macdonald has been bad, but if we could just get a 1 or 2 dman, then he can be slotted lower like 4-6 and I think he can handle that..I mean, we have like 5 # 4-6 dmen, so some will have to move on. The fact that MDZ has arguably been our best dman is beyond belief. We`re lucky to have 8 wins.

Yeah, personally, I don't think Akeson has Sharp-like upside...but I can see the comparison in terms of a coach discounting a player that eventually gets sold low/discarded by the org. only to blossom elsewhere. Since there's little risk in keeping him around, I think people want the Flyers to retain that potential in-house, thus we're happy he wasn't claimed...I could see a scenario where he's put into a proper scoring role with the Phantoms, regains his confidence and production and down the line maybe gets another shot, perhaps under a different coach.
- exlund

Hard to have any confidence when you're riding a line with either Vinny or Umby, but I see what you mean. I'd rather him perform extremely well in the AHL than for him to ride the 4th line longer than he should.