Before the injury to Raffl B Schenn was playing on 2nd line. Did that provide more offensive balance?
It is quite evident now that this is a one line team. Raffl Simmonds Laughton have worked well together but....maybe Berube should put Raffl back on first line and move B Schenn. Just a thought
- 3flyerkids

He's done that in parts of some games already during the losing streak.

Honestly, I think you trade him while his value is still high. Laughton can take his place on the 3rd line. He looks good.
- GOA88

Yea, but can Laughton grow a beard like Coots though? I think not! That beard alone is worth the 1st rnd pick.

Every day is sarcasm day.

When is Vinny going to become the 20-25 goal scoring lock?
- jmatchett383

When the Flyers sign Marty McFly.

Honestly, I think you trade him while his value is still high. Laughton can take his place on the 3rd line. He looks good.
- GOA88

I'd rather we evaluate Laughton after more than 10 or so NHL games. And I think trading Couturier when his value is lowest is a terrible idea.

I am also believing that Couturier is nothing more than a 3rd line Centre.
- 3flyerkids

He might. But before I make the claim I would like to get him more skilled wingers and lessen his defensive load.

He is still 21 and the defensive game is usually the hardest to teach. He has that side down. Getting him some skilled wingers and maybe taking some PK time away might help.

When the Flyers sign Marty McFly.
- MJL

Oh, come on now. You were praising him all offseason, saying that a healthy VLC will give us 20 goals (sorry, I don't bookmark posts). I'm just wondering when those floodgates are gonna open.

That's what irks me the most. I can handle a loss if they leave it all on the ice, but most of these guys aren't bringing it all out of the dressing room.
- tangent_man

I think there is effort, but the resiliency, the ability to rebound from a bad shift seems to be gone or at least on vacation.

What happens now is, a bad shift or bad turnover happens and it snowballs into two bad shifts, then a bad half period, then a bad game. I think there's a handful of guys-at most-not trying hard.

But they're making a lot of mistakes, inexcusable ones. That's why I suggested the line reconfiguration and re-emphasized attention in practices & games on getting the fundamental stuff back up to par.

that might not be enough to make them a good team, but it should make them a competitive one.

Do you guys think Aube-Kubel has a shot of making the Canadian WJC team this year?

Oh, come on now. You were praising him all offseason, saying that a healthy VLC will give us 20 goals (sorry, I don't bookmark posts). I'm just wondering when those floodgates are gonna open.
- jmatchett383

Praising him all season? Not exactly. Nor did I guarantee any goal total. All I've ever said about Lecavalier is that I give him the benefit of the doubt because he was dealing with a serious injury, and a position change. I know of no injury that is currently an issue with Lecavalier. Yet his play is even worse then it was last year.

Do you guys think Aube-Kubel has a shot of making the Canadian WJC team this year?
- jmatchett383

He might.

Do you guys think Aube-Kubel has a shot of making the Canadian WJC team this year?
- jmatchett383

Questionable. His play has dropped ever since he sustained a knee on knee hit from Adam Erne in late October or early November.

Praising him all season? Not exactly. Nor did I guarantee any goal total. All I've ever said about Lecavalier is that I give him the benefit of the doubt because he was dealing with a serious injury, and a position change. I know of no injury that is currently an issue with Lecavalier. Yet his play is even worse then it was last year.
- MJL

I said all offseason, not all season. And yes, you did say (in not so many words) that he was a 20-goal scorer if he was healthy. And I'm sure wondering when those goals will start coming.

Praising him all season? Not exactly. Nor did I guarantee any goal total. All I've ever said about Lecavalier is that I give him the benefit of the doubt because he was dealing with a serious injury, and a position change. I know of no injury that is currently an issue with Lecavalier. Yet his play is even worse then it was last year.
- MJL

Did anyone think he would be this bad? I sure didnt. He had 32 pts in 39 games in the lockout then we signed him and he played pretty good until he broke his back. The rest has been a disaster.

Questionable. His play has dropped ever since he sustained a knee on knee hit from Adam Erne in late October or early November.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I know his production has dipped since his crazy (unsustainable) start. But I just wonder where he fits in line with other players.

I said all offseason, not all season. And yes, you did say (in not so many words) that he was a 20-goal scorer if he was healthy. And I'm sure wondering when those goals will start coming.
- jmatchett383

I was assuming he would provide that in a healthy season as well.

I think there is effort, but the resiliency, the ability to rebound from a bad shift seems to be gone or at least on vacation.

What happens now is, a bad shift or bad turnover happens and it snowballs into two bad shifts, then a bad half period, then a bad game. I think there's a handful of guys-at most-not trying hard.

But they're making a lot of mistakes, inexcusable ones. That's why I suggested the line reconfiguration and re-emphasized attention in practices & games on getting the fundamental stuff back up to par.

that might not be enough to make them a good team, but it should make them a competitive one.
- Jsaquella

This team is a weird, tangled ball of misdirected energy. I don't think there are lazy players on the team, per se. There is individual talent on this team; just not the right kind of talent. I just don't think they are good enough, as a group.

He might. But before I make the claim I would like to get him more skilled wingers and lessen his defensive load.

He is still 21 and the defensive game is usually the hardest to teach. He has that side down. Getting him some skilled wingers and maybe taking some PK time away might help.
- J35Bacher

Simmonds and Schenn were playing with him earlier. That should be a good line.
Put Raffl back on first line. Give Couturier sufficient time with 17 and 10.

When the Flyers sign Marty McFly.
- MJL

I said all offseason, not all season. And yes, you did say (in not so many words) that he was a 20-goal scorer if he was healthy. And I'm sure wondering when those goals will start coming.
- jmatchett383

it was a typo, I'm aware of what you said. And you're incorrect. I didn't guarantee any goal total from Lecvalier. More likely is that I said 20 goals is a possibility. He did score 20 goals last season. I'm also wondering when those goals will start coming.

Thanks Bill. Philly.com also had some good comments on the Flyers woes. G had better start playing more of a leadership role, or he might just be out of here. His numbers aren't bad, but his play of late has been in question; nothing like diving to try to motivate his team the other night. I think that part of the reason Richards, and Carter were traded was that the team just couldn't take it to the next level with them in leadership roles. They were great players in the own right, but those darn long term deals, and having all that money thrown at them went to their heads. If I were GM, I would only sign players to performance laced deals, with a maximum of 4 years. I don't care if the player might leave after that term for more money, because the loyalty days of the past are over. Most players, like coaches have a team life span, and are only money driven. Besides, four years is enough time for the younger players to start taking over. To summarize, this will allow time for your draft picks to develop, and this will keep your cap costs down. In this new age of free agency created by, and forced by the players, this will have to be the new norm. You see it in the other major sports, and now in the NHL. I would love to have certain players on a team for life, but it's just not going to happen if you wish your team to succeed.
Thanks for listening.

Did anyone think he would be this bad? I sure didnt. He has 32 pts in 39 games in the lockout then we signed him and he played pretty good until he broke his back. The rest has been a disaster.
- GOA88

Raises hand.

I thought he might be producing a bit more offense, but I expected his overall game to be mediocre to terrible.

Unlike last year, I just don't see this current team bouncing back. I think its a pretty safe bet that they will be picking in the top 10 this June.

And I'm ok with that. I'd rather have a chance to land a superstar than either just miss the playoffs or barely squeak in and go out in the 1st round.
- BiggE

I gotta say in a draft yr where there is a McDavid or even Eichel, I would actually be ok with having a shop it the lottery. I simply cannot stomach another 6-7-8 finish and first round exit. what really sucks is the people you want to see gone are not going anywhere. what are the trade chips beyond guys I personally don't want moved (being 10/12/14/15/17/28/93)? I would be willing to move 24. I hate the idea of moving 5 but I think at this point he may be their best bargaining chip to a cup contender.

Simmonds and Schenn were playing with him earlier. That should be a good line.
Put Raffl back on first line. Give Couturier sufficient time with 17 and 10.
- 3flyerkids

Seems like every time, just as Coots has gotten going, the lines get shaken up and he loses his wingers.

Akeson/Coots/Read
Schenn/Coots/Simmer

... in particular.

Did anyone think he would be this bad? I sure didnt. He had 32 pts in 39 games in the lockout then we signed him and he played pretty good until he broke his back. The rest has been a disaster.
- GOA88

I did not. But right now I see a player that isn't working, isn't moving his feet. Isn't getting to the net. I think I can recall maybe one or two decent scoring chances at 5 on 5 play since he came back. He definitely needs a playmaker to get him the puck, but with the effort he is putting forth right now, I'm not sure that would even help.

Raises hand.

I thought he might be producing a bit more offense, but I expected his overall game to be mediocre to terrible.
- Jsaquella

Maybe not THIS bad, but I didn't expect him to be much better.