You know if Couturier was made available almost every team would check in on him. He is 21 and already solid defensively. That is usually the hardest part to teach. His offensive will come and you can see his skills. His draft year he was talked about as the possible number one until he got mono. Yes he isn't a speed demon but niether is some other skilled players like Joe thorton. Also Couturier plays against some f the hardest competition and is asked to still push play offensivly. Thats a lot of responsibility on a 21 year old.

People talk about how the Patrick Sharpe trade was bad. Trade Couturier and I am sure we will have another to talk about.
- J35Bacher

finishing 9th in Selke votes for a 21 yr old is nothing to scoff at[/img]

No, I was saying the players that have played with them for extended stretches (McGinn, Talbot, etc.) would drag ANY PLAYER'S offensive production down. Basically, you're saying they're the problem, and I'm arguing that the other players they've played with are a problem that's prohibiting them.

They played B. Schenn on their line for like 3 games, and it was the Flyers' best line over that stretch. Then Berube decided to switch back to having Umberger on that line, and their play dropped. Maybe if you gave them an extended look with a player that isn't a mucker/grinder (Umberger, Downie, etc.) they'd actually show some pop.
- jmatchett383

Leier...

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.

maybe they could have traded him at this years deadline for some picks. I think if they waited with the injuries CBJ had this year they could have traded him by now for picks...Its just sad that the best that they could have gotten was umberger.
- PhillaBully

I agree Umberger has been bad and right now Hartnell would be better for this team. But the fact still remains that Hartnell is a 30 something year old declining power forward on a long contract with a substantial cap hit. GMs know this and aren't dumb. I still think a bad contract was coming back regardless of time or team.

No one is satisfied with the tank until the draft pick is awarded
- PhillySportsGuy

No worries flyers will make a cap circumventing deal involving vinny and their 1st rounder will be stripped

Leier...
- mayorofangrytown

I actually think Laughton will end up taking some of the tough minutes off Couturier possibly next season. ANd I think you could see Leirer riding shotgun with laughton as a shutdown line with speed. Like the old Devils who rolled out Pandolfo-Madden-Begin

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.
- JonnyHammerstix

Hey pal, you take your optimism and common sense approach and go find another franchise to cheer for. This is Philadelphia, and we don't want any of what you're sellin'!

No, everybody expects these guys to produce offensively. I think this fan base and management has overrated many of the players on this team.

Maybe thats why this team is one of the worst in the league???
- GOA88

yes and why they should hope phoenix does too

Hey pal, you take your optimism and common sense approach and go find another franchise to cheer for. This is Philadelphia, and we don't want any of what you're sellin'!
- wolfhounds

Trust me this is a daily struggle for me. I have friends that make Plind look like an optimist when it comes to the Flyers.

Edit: Nothing personal Plind you were just the first name I thought of

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.
- JonnyHammerstix

your optimism is nice but lets face it, we're hoping a bunch of teenagers come to the rescue by the time the next potus is running for re-election...for all we know sanheim and morin could be the second coming of grossman andcoburn... not exactly what i wana wait for.

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.
- JonnyHammerstix

I agree...I just want to see Berube apply more of a "let's see what the future lines will look like possibly" mentality so we can realistcially look at team composition.

Is Raffl enough of a first line winger? Probably not, but there isnt anyone in the pipeline to test there unless we get a prospect at the trade deadline for moving another part.

Does adding some speed to the Coots line open it up a little bit offensively? My thought is yes given the past. By no means do I expect them to produce top 10 team level 2nd line scoring while playing top 10 level 3rd line defensive play.

Do we have too many middling skaters, though having decent skills (Read, Schenn, Raffl), limits our break out ability and ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone that we have to look to make some trades/moves. We may...I just dont see enough top end speed and danglers on the squad. I do have hope that Abue-Kubel (Sp?) is our first line wing in waiting, but after that...is Lier and Cousins enough.

your optimism is nice but lets face it, we're hoping a bunch of teenagers come to the rescue by the time the next potus is running for re-election...for all we know sangeim and morin could be the second coming of grossman andcoburn... not exactly what i wana wait for.
- JoeRussomanno

That's fine as long as their cheaper

your optimism is nice but lets face it, we're hoping a bunch of teenagers come to the rescue by the time the next potus is running for re-election...for all we know sangeim and morin could be the second coming of grossman andcoburn... not exactly what i wana wait for.
- JoeRussomanno

Well it has to start from somewhere. this is the first time in god know how long that the Flyers actually have a very promising group of defensive prospects and you're not excited and not willing to wait because they MIGHT be busts. I could argue that for literally any prospect. As of right now the future looks very bright.

I actually think Laughton will end up taking some of the tough minutes off Couturier possibly next season. ANd I think you could see Leirer riding shotgun with laughton as a shutdown line with speed. Like the old Devils who rolled out Pandolfo-Madden-Begin
- J35Bacher

That has already been happening somewhat. I think there was a recent game with Laughton took the highest number of defensive zone draws on the team in the game.

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.
- JonnyHammerstix

You can't be a Flyers fan with that attitude.

Kudos.

Well it has to start from somewhere. this is the first time in god know how long that the Flyers actually have a very promising group of defensive prospects and you're not excited and not willing to wait because they MIGHT be busts. I could argue that for literally any prospect. As of right now the future looks very bright.
- JonnyHammerstix

theres no doubt that the prospects look good and all that jazz but it might behoove management to look at the fact they finally have an elite goalie and their first line center snd his winger are two of the best at what they do in the league, so by sitting on our hands for 6 years we might squander a good thing.

That's fine as long as their cheaper
- Just5

doubt it

Well it has to start from somewhere. this is the first time in god know how long that the Flyers actually have a very promising group of defensive prospects and you're not excited and not willing to wait because they MIGHT be busts. I could argue that for literally any prospect. As of right now the future looks very bright.
- JonnyHammerstix

- PLindbergh31

Exactly. I have my orange sunglasses on and I'm not afraid to admit it

- PLindbergh31

You and I both know that's a train right?

You and I both know that's a train right?
- mayorofangrytown

Of course. I thought it went without saying.

Just want to remind everybody that the future of this team is very bright. Times are tough right now but there is plenty on hope on the Horizon. Patience people. People have been asking for patience by the front office for years. Well now it's time to practice what you preach.
- JonnyHammerstix

NEVER

NEVER
- -davies-

There's going to be a big sale and at the end they'll be a bonfire with what's left.

There's going to be a big sale and at the end they'll be a bonfire with what's left.
- mayorofangrytown

wha ?

Of course. I thought it went without saying.
- PLindbergh31

And here I was thinking you shared a moment of optimism with me. If even for a moment. Guess I was wrong