Entering the season with Schultz or MacDonald on your top pair guarantees it, yes. Probably a top-5 pick.
Still do not understand the trade of Coburn. He could have been utilized on the top pair next season and still brought back a nice haul at the next TDL, if not re-signed. - bradleyc4
If they were intent on trading a defensemen I think he was the only option. I don't think there was a market place for any of the other D on the team with the exception of maybe Del Zotto.
Entering the season with Schultz or MacDonald on your top pair guarantees it, yes. Probably a top-5 pick.
Still do not understand the trade of Coburn. He could have been utilized on the top pair next season and still brought back a nice haul at the next TDL, if not re-signed. - bradleyc4
2015 is a draft you want two first rounders in and Hextall clearly wasn't keen on signing Coburn to an extension. So he moved him when his value was highest.
It's not that hard to understand. Grossmann can't partner MDZ because they both play the left side exclusively. Grossmann can't partner LSchenn because that would be a crime against nature. So Berube is sticking with MDZ-LSchenn as a dupo. Grossmann is day to day, and while he's out temporarily they just slide CC into his spot rather than change two pairings. - Feanor
I like to think that the Flyers coaching staff is having the same second pairing/third pairing debate that we see on here
It's not that hard to understand. Grossmann can't partner MDZ because they both play the left side exclusively. Grossmann can't partner LSchenn because that would be a crime against nature. So Berube is sticking with MDZ-LSchenn as a dupo. Grossmann is day to day, and while he's out temporarily they just slide CC into his spot rather than change two pairings. - Feanor
I didn't think it was that hard either. For a while Schenn and Del Zotto played well together and there seems to be a comfort with them. Also Streit and Schultz have played well together. I think he is trying to keep some cohesion between pairs.
I didn't think it was that hard either. For a while Schenn and Del Zotto played well together and there seems to be a comfort with them. Also Streit and Schultz have played well together. I think he is trying to keep some cohesion between pairs. - J35Bacher
I get it, but AMac-Grossmann has been awful, and I doubt swapping CC in for Grossmann improves it.
I get it, but AMac-Grossmann has been awful, and I doubt swapping CC in for Grossmann improves it. - BiggE
I think any combo right now is kind of tough. If you take from one you kind of just rearranging the deck chairs. You just have to roll with it and then hope in the offseason hextall has some magic to put more skill on the back end. Right now the mix is just not good.
I get it, but AMac-Grossmann has been awful, and I doubt swapping CC in for Grossmann improves it. - BiggE
I don't like the MDZ-Schenn pairing because Schenn doesn't have the speed/awareness to cover for Del Zotto's pinches. I'd feel bad for Streit, but I would prefer these pairings.
MDZ-Schultz
Grossmann-Streit
MacDonald-LSchenn
MacDonald and Schenn keeps things simple and don't give up many goals. And you can quite easily stick MacDonald with Streit for some OZ draws to generate more offense.
The concurrent theme dictating his play in his career as a Flyer has been his defensive partner. Schenn is good on the boards, possesses good balance, and is a surprisingly adept passer as well as a punishing hitter. The one thing he truly lacks is foot-speed. When he has played with a defensively adequate puckmover such as Timonen, Gustafsson and to a lesser extent MacDonald, he has played good, solid hockey. This can be evidenced most effectively by his goals against statistics.
In 2013-14 when paired with Gustafsson Schenn’s GA/60 was 2.36. When paired with MacDonald Schenn’s GA/60 was 1.78. He played over 500 combined minutes with those two defenseman, posting very good defensive numbers. However, his time with Meszaros resulted in 3.39 GA/60 — when together they were one of the worst pairings in the NHL. In 2012-13 when paired with Timonen Schenn allowed 2.10 GA/60, they played together for over 400 minutes. Yet without Timonen he allowed 2.97 GA/60.
This season is no different, Schenn’s second most frequent defensive partner is MacDonald, they allow only 2.34 GA/60 when paired together; without MacDonald Schenn allows 2.83 GA/60. It is quite apparent that Schenn can be, and has been, very effective as a defensive defenseman when paired with a partner that suits his game.
Location: the jewelry is still out Joined: 01.16.2007
Mar 3 @ 12:03 PM ET
If they were intent on trading a defensemen I think he was the only option. I don't think there was a market place for any of the other D on the team with the exception of maybe Del Zotto. - mayorofangrytown
I think they could have dealt Mark Streit if they wanted to. He wouldn't have brought as a big of a return, but would have solved their desire to move salary and still keep Coburn.
Doesn't make sense to deal MDZ, because of his contract status, imo.
Location: the jewelry is still out Joined: 01.16.2007
Mar 3 @ 12:04 PM ET
2015 is a draft you want two first rounders in and Hextall clearly wasn't keen on signing Coburn to an extension. So he moved him when his value was highest. - Feanor
I love draft picks, but not at the expense of your best defenseman, especially considering the lack of talent that is left.
Whoever the Flyers take in the first round, likely won't be ready to help the big club for another three years. Coincidentally, it's also the next time the Flyers will likely sniff the playoffs now.
I think they could have dealt Mark Streit if they wanted to. He wouldn't have brought as a big of a return, but would have solved their desire to move salary and still keep Coburn.
Doesn't make sense to deal MDZ, because of his contract status, imo. - bradleyc4
Moving Streit would have been a surrender the season move
