The moment I knew Giroux was a good captain was game 6 against the Pens. Everyone was nervous as hell when the Pens won those two games in a row. His first shift set the tone for that game.
- PhillySportsGuy

I knew Simmonds was a good captain by willing us to 2 wins versus our true rival last year.
I knew Lupul was a great captain when he scored the Game 7 OT winner versus the Caps.
I knew Umberger was a great captain when he single-handedly beat the Canadiens in 2008.

I didn't want to break up G and V but I didn't expect there to be zero secondary scoring. So I would try this lineup. If it doesn't work, sell off everything but the core. Two scoring lines (flip Raffl and BSchenn if you like), a checking line with three quick, defensively minded guys, and a 4th line that gets 7 minutes a night.

Raffl-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Couturier-Voracek
Bellemare-Laughton-Read
Rinaldo-Lecavalier-Umberger

Del Zotto-Coburn
MacDonald-Streit
Schultz-LSchenn
- Feanor

I'd scratch Lecavalier. And scratch Luke Scheen in favor of Grossmann.

I don't think he wants to make many trades honestly unless he can get a favorable return that would promote the long-term health of the team. I doubt he'll make any moves for vets unless they come at a primo price. I don't think he moves Simmonds, BSchenn, Couts or Read given the long term plan. Maybe Coburn but they still have time to decide and only if they get a great return.
- NickTheKid87

I think I read or heard over the long weekend that anyone who comes calling for one of the younger, more desirable forwards has to be prepared to take Vinny or RJ.

That should be enough to stop the rumors for awhile.

Sean Couturier is still just barely old enough to drink in a bar and he's received a significant enough number of Selke votes to be mentioned out loud. He's still a player 29 other teams would love to have.
- johndewar

If Couturier was made available the phone would be ringing off the hook.

I'd scratch Lecavalier. And scratch Luke Scheen in favor of Grossmann.
- MJL

That's fine. They key is to try and get two lines that can score. Maybe it's impossible with the current roster, but a one line team has no chances of making the playoffs.

Maybe. But I don't think it is out of the question that Couturier can become that power forward with some better wings.

Also name me all the power forwards in the league really making a difference. Or is it that they have skilled guys that play big?
- J35Bacher

Couturier is a center, not a winger. Can't have every winger on the team be a finesse player. Simmonds is a skilled player.

That's fine. They key is to try and get two lines that can score. Maybe it's impossible with the current roster, but a one line team has no chances of making the playoffs.
- Feanor

I agree. Otherwise I like your lines a lot.

Is this the new "literally" where it means the opposite of "literally?"
- jmatchett383

Im not following you

Maybe. But I don't think it is out of the question that Couturier can become that power forward with some better wings.

Also name me all the power forwards in the league really making a difference. Or is it that they have skilled guys that play big?
- J35Bacher

Rick Nash
Jamie Benn
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Joe Thornton
JvR
James Neal
David Backes

I'm sure there's a few I can't think of

Im not following you
- GOA88

"Literally" is now defined alternatively (offically) as "figuratively."

Couturier is a center, not a winger. Can't have every winger on the team be a finesse player. Simmonds is a skilled player.
- MJL

I know he is a center. He is also a forward. Does that mean he can't be a power forward?

I also understand not every player can be finesse but I can request more skill. Without the off-ice stuff would you take Evander Kane or Simmonds. Devante Smith Pelly or Simmonds? I think both guys give you grit but have more natural skill set then Simmonds.

The thing I like about Detriot is their smaller skill guys still seem to mix it up and can score dirty goals.

Couturier is a center, not a winger. Can't have every winger on the team be a finesse player. Simmonds is a skilled player.
- MJL

I don't see skilled player when I look at Simmonds at least in the context in which everyone here views a skilled player. Which is a guy who can snipe and stickhandle. Simmonds is a plugger with good hands around the net who has toughness.

SO yes, good hands is his skill, but he isn't a great speedster or have many of the other qualities when most people talk about a skilled player.

Moving Couturier to wing is just silly.

I knew Simmonds was a good captain by willing us to 2 wins versus our true rival last year.
I knew Lupul was a great captain when he scored the Game 7 OT winner versus the Caps.
I knew Umberger was a great captain when he single-handedly beat the Canadiens in 2008.
- jmatchett383

Just a hater. A Giroux hater. A Girater

"Literally" is now defined alternatively (offically) as "figuratively."
- jmatchett383

To be fair, it's not the dictionary's fault. It's just a guide to what we the people have made the definition.

Thanks guys. This is literally why we can't have nice things.

I think I read or heard over the long weekend that anyone who comes calling for one of the younger, more desirable forwards has to be prepared to take Vinny or RJ.

That should be enough to stop the rumors for awhile.
- johndewar

Yup that would be a trade squasher for sure. I don't think Hextall will take less for a guy like BSchenn just to get rid of Umberger either. The best hope is that Florida or a similar team will want the cap hit from one of Umberger or Vinny's contracts. But I find that an unlikely scenario.

Rick Nash
Jamie Benn
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Joe Thornton
JvR
James Neal
David Backes

I'm sure there's a few I can't think of
- jmatchett383

Clarkson

I don't see skilled player when I look at Simmonds at least in the context in which everyone here views a skilled player. Which is a guy who can snipe and stickhandle. Simmonds is a plugger with good hands around the net who has toughness.

SO yes, good hands is his skill, but he isn't a great speedster or have many of the other qualities when most people talk about a skilled player.

Moving Couturier to wing is just silly.
- MBFlyerfan

Agree with all of this.

I'm also in no hurry to move Couturier, but if someone was offering a 30 goal LW under 28 for him, I'd probably make the deal.

Clarkson
- PhillySportsGuy

Rick Nash
Jamie Benn
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Joe Thornton
JvR
James Neal
David Backes

I'm sure there's a few I can't think of
- jmatchett383

But these guys also have more skill then Simmonds. These guys score at ES and also are facilators and more well rounded. That is what I am talking about. I understand what Simmonds does but in a sense I would prefer a player with more skill.

I don't know if I am making my ideas clear and I am sorry about that.

To be fair, it's not the dictionary's fault. It's just a guide to what we the people have made the definition.

Thanks guys. This is literally why we can't have nice things.
- BulliesPhan87

Litrilly.

Just a hater. A Giroux hater. A Girater
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm just saying that one shift/game/series shouldn't be a reason where a player is a captain (short of Bobby Clarke in Game 2 of the 1974 SCF).

Clarkson
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh, and VLC.

"Literally" is now defined alternatively (offically) as "figuratively."
- jmatchett383

I was literally using it by its definition.

Clarkson
- PhillySportsGuy

Somehow the bloke has more goals than Bobby Ryan

But these guys also have more skill then Simmonds. These guys score at ES and also are facilators and more well rounded. That is what I am talking about. I understand what Simmonds does but in a sense I would prefer a player with more skill.

I don't know if I am making my ideas clear and I am sorry about that.
- J35Bacher

Sounds good. Let's call up Anaheim and tell them we're taking Getzlaf for Simmonds.