Underrated album for sure!

Really wonder who coaches this team next season, or if the choice is still under contract with another club until seasons end?
- puckhead17

I have no idea, but I hope it's someone with considerably more head coaching experience than Berube.

Nice qualities, but I would think skating would be a major factor in deciding.
This team is in need of both size, & speed up front.
- puckhead17

For sure, and more skill would be nice too.

R.I.P. to a true Philly legend, Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik. He was the last true 2-way player in the NFL and one of the toughest men to ever play in any sport.

He will always be fondly remembered in Philly for both knocking out Frank Gifford with an awesome hit and for making the final tackle in the 1960 Championship game which was the final game of his career.

They don't make em like that anymore, folks.

It does suck, no question. I am, however, dead set against the notion of tanking. I find it beyond distasteful. Tomorrow is the 31st anniversary of the notorious 13-4 game at the Spectrum where the Flyer scored seven unanswered goals in the third period because the Penguins did not even make a pretense of competing.
- bmeltzer

I want to see them go down swinging as well. Work hard, play hard and and give the other team a fight. If you don't win, oh well, but you made those other bastards work to beat you.

I'm not adverse to mixing in some kids to get them a taste, so long as it doesn't create a cap issue for next season or the off season.

For sure, and more skill would be nice too.
- BiggE

Skill factor is a concern moving forward.
I think we can get by with Couturier's offensive development, if we had another scoring winger.

For sure, and more skill would be nice too.
- BiggE

Yes, please.

Skill factor is a concern moving forward.
I think we can get by with Couturier's offensive development, if we had another scoring winger.
- puckhead17

Agreed, having him spend most of the season with 2 struggling wingers did him no favors whatsoever.

Agreed, having him spend most of the season with 2 struggling wingers did him no favors whatsoever.
- BiggE

Even with Voracek he seemed challenged at times.
I'd still rather roll the dice with him on the 2nd line, and try to get another skilled winger in the mix.
If he would have scored on 1/2 the breakaways he had, he'd have at least 10 more points by now.

Skill factor is a concern moving forward.
I think we can get by with Couturier's offensive development, if we had another scoring winger.
- puckhead17

That might be better addressed via trade. If we're picking 7th and say somewhere between 25 and 30 its going to be hard to land a natural winger who fits that bill. Rantanen and Meier fit said bill but one is a bit of a stretch at to be considered BPA at 7 and the other will likely be gone by 20.

All I know is Bittner and Simmonds on the same line would be some damn fun hockey to watch.

That might be better addressed via trade. If we're picking 7th and say somewhere between 25 and 30 its going to be hard to land a natural winger who fits that bill. Rantanen and Meier fit said bill but one is a bit of a stretch at to be considered BPA at 7 and the other will likely be gone by 20.

All I know is Bittner and Simmonds on the same line would be some damn fun hockey to watch.
- hereticpride

It's so hard to say. I mean if every GM knew Giroux would turn out the way he had, he's in the top 3 in his draft year, rather than at 22.

For all we know, the guy they take with Tampa's pick could turn out to be a superstar and the guy in the top 10 just a solid player. You just don't know.

edit: Actually, looking back at the 2006 draft, Giroux should have gone 2nd right after Toews. Thank you Captain Hindsight!

Damian Cox's top 30 as of March, 2015, FWIW

1. (1) Connor McDavid, 6-1, 195, C, Erie (OHL) Recently had a 27-game point streak snapped. He’s averaging 2.6 points per game and is unchallenged at No. 1.

2. (2) Jack Eichel, 6-2, 196, C, Boston University (NCAA) They’re handing out “I like Eich” buttons on campus promoting the freshman forward for the Hobey Baker Award.

3. (3) Noah Hanifin, 6-3, 205, D, Boston College (NCAA) Controls the game. Has 23 points in 36 games while drawing comparisons to Rob Blake.

4. (5) Dylan Strome, 6-3, 187, C, Erie (OHL) There’s some debate about his upside and whether he can be a true No. 1 centre in the NHL. But he’s a top-five pick.

5. (4) Lawson Crouse, 6-4, 211, LW, Kingston (OHL) He’s now working on a power line with Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson. Drives the net and has 28 goals.

6. (8) Ivan Provorov, 6-0, 191, D, Brandon (WHL) Since he’s been in North America for years, there seems to be little KHL worry attached to Provorov. Could he go top 5?

7. (6) Mitch Marner, 5-11, 155, C, London (OHL) With 124 points, it’s starting to look like he’ll be able to fend off challenges from McDavid and Strome and win the OHL scoring title.

8. (7) Mikko Rantanen, 6-3 1/2, 211, RW, Turku (Finland) A big, strong winger and left-handed shot who prefers to play the right side and impressed at the world juniors.

9. (9) Mathew Barzal, 5-11, 175, C, Seattle (WHL) Despite missing 28 games to injury, he’s now tied for team lead in scoring. Makes an impact in every game he plays.

0. (10) Zack Werenski, 6-2, 206, D, Michigan (NCAA) Great stick and poised with the puck. There’s still speculation he could end up in London with the Knights next season.

11. (11) Oliver Kylington, 6-0, 180, D, AIK (Sweden) Scouts love his skating and he may be most mobile blueliner in the draft. But his offensive creativity is the question.

12. (12) Timo Meier, 6-1, 208, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) Up to 43 goals, Meier and Nik Ehlers have formed a formidable 1-2 punch for the Mooseheads this year.

13. (13) Nick Merkley, 5-11, 191, RW, Kelowna (WHL) Seems like a very safe bet in this area of the draft because of his hockey sense. More of a playmaker than scorer.

14. (14) Pavel Zacha, 6-3, 210, C, Sarnia (OHL) After missing a lot of hockey due to injuries and suspensions, he’s now got 33 points in 36 games. Still an appealing skill set.

15. (15) Travis Konecny, 5-10, 175, RW, Ottawa (OHL) After falling to No. 26 in Central Scouting’s rankings, he’s expected to move up. Currently out with an upper body injury.

16. (16) Filip Chlapik, 6-1, 194, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL) Scouts love his skill and vision, some voice concern about his skating.

17. (22) Evgeni Svechnikov, 6-2, 199, RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL) He’s up to 30 goals and scouts very much liking what they see these days. A top-20 pick almost for sure.

18. (18) Kyle Connor, 6-1, 177, C, Youngstown (USHL) Now leads the USHL in scoring with 65 points in 47 games. He’s lean and needs to get stronger. Saginaw next year?

19. (17) Jakub Zboril, 6-1, 184, D, Saint John (QMJHL) Back from a mid-season MCL injury. Zboril plays with an edge and has some of the same package as Provorov.

20. (19) Colin White, 6-0, 185, C, USNTDP (USHL) Getting rolling after illness and injuries set him back. Scouts know his resume and aren’t likely to be put off by his so-so stats.

21. (21) Jeremy Roy, 6-0, 189, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) Seems rock solid in this area of the first round. Is a smooth-skating blueliner who can make plays.

22. (20) Daniel Sprong, 6-0, 189, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL) Talk to two scouts and you’ll get two different opinions, often vastly different. But no one denies the skill level.

23. (23) Thomas Chabot, 6-1, 181, D, Saint John (QMJHL) A sore hip flexor held him back and now isn’t rising as quickly as he was pre-Christmas. But he’s still a good first-round bet.

24. (24) Brock Boeser, 6-0, 191, RW, Waterloo (USHL) Headed to North Dakota next fall and now has 29 goals in 49 games. He’s a pro-style winger.

25. (25) Paul Bittner, 6-4, 206, LW, Portland (WHL) Scouts blow hot and cold on the big Minnesotan. But his team is hot and he’s got 33 goals and a plus-39 rating.

26. (26) Brandon Carlo, 6-5, 198, D, Tri-City (WHL) He missed games recently after being hit in the head with a puck. Still might be best stay-at-home defender in the draft.

arrowup 27. (NR) Jansen Harkins, C, 6-1, 170, Prince George (WHL) Has been a solid scorer all season while playing against No. 1 centres. A smart, complete player.

28. (28) Jordan Greenway, 6-5, 222, LW, USNTDP (USHL) His younger brother, a defenceman, is also in Ann Arbor. Heading to Boston University next season.

29. (NR) Vince Dunn, D, 6-0, 185, Niagara (OHL) The IceDogs are as hot as anybody in the East, and Dunn’s a big reason why. He’s sixth in OHL defence scoring with 17 goals and 53 points.

30. (30) Jake DeBrusk, 5-11 1/2, 171, LW, Swift Current (WHL) In 70 games, has 39 goals. Son of Sportsnet hockey analyst and former NHLer Louie DeBrusk.

On the radar

Jens Looke, RW, Brynas (Sweden)
Yakov Trenin, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL).
Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Barrie (OHL)
Adam Marsh, LW, Saint John (QMJHL)
Gabriel Carlsson, D, Linkoping (Sweden)
Glenn Gawdin, C, Swift Current
Adin Hill, G, Portland (WHL)
Nicolas Roy, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Erik Cernak, D, Kosice (Slovakia)
Jeremy Bracco, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Christian Fischer, RW, US NTDP (USHL)
Jack Roslovic, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Thomas Novak, C, Waterloo (USHL)
Michael Spacek, F, Pardubice (Czech)
Dennis Yan, LW, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Nicolas Meloche, D, Baie Comeau (QMJHL)
Noah Juulsen, D, Everett (WHL)
Alexander Dergachyov, C, St. Petersburg
Jonas Siegenthaler, D, Zurich (Swiss)
Blake Speers, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

- KGBflyers10

She said it much cuter than I was going to say

It does suck, no question. I am, however, dead set against the notion of tanking. I find it beyond distasteful. Tomorrow is the 31st anniversary of the notorious 13-4 game at the Spectrum where the Flyer scored seven unanswered goals in the third period because the Penguins did not even make a pretense of competing.
- bmeltzer

Bill, do you think they're tanking? I don't see it that way. I think they just aren't a good team this year and what we're seeing now is pretty much what we've seen all season. Sure, it's the end of a crappy season and I'm sure they want it behind them as quickly as possible but I don't see anything in the games that suggests that they're not actually trying.

HANIFIN
- Tomahawk

Fine, but there is no "I" in team.

Is cheif's treatment of mason a coaching ploy to get the team to come together in support for their goalie or is he just an ass hat?
- Dkos

Take the night off tonight, boys. Just mail one in, OK?

Take the night off tonight, boys. Just mail one in, OK?
- Der Kaiser

One?

They've been mailing it in all damn year.

One?

They've been mailing it in all damn year.
- hereticpride

"Gotta stay awake, gotta try and shake off this creeping malaise. If I don't stand my own ground, how can I find my way out of this maze?"

from my favorite Pink Floyd song, "Dogs"

#pointofuselessinformation

- BiggE

#withyouthere

Even with Voracek he seemed challenged at times.
I'd still rather roll the dice with him on the 2nd line, and try to get another skilled winger in the mix.
If he would have scored on 1/2 the breakaways he had, he'd have at least 10 more points by now.
- puckhead17

For all the concern about Couturier's offense, Voracek is the only forward on the team with the skillset to generate significant 5 on 5 offense within the current system and with the current defensemen.

For all the concern about Couturier's offense, Voracek is the only forward on the team with the skillset to generate significant 5 on 5 offense within the current system and with the current defensemen.
- Feanor

I don't think the system has anything to do with it. I think it's about the mix of players, and execution.

Damian Cox's top 30 as of March, 2015, FWIW

1. (1) Connor McDavid, 6-1, 195, C, Erie (OHL) Recently had a 27-game point streak snapped. He’s averaging 2.6 points per game and is unchallenged at No. 1.

2. (2) Jack Eichel, 6-2, 196, C, Boston University (NCAA) They’re handing out “I like Eich” buttons on campus promoting the freshman forward for the Hobey Baker Award.

3. (3) Noah Hanifin, 6-3, 205, D, Boston College (NCAA) Controls the game. Has 23 points in 36 games while drawing comparisons to Rob Blake.

4. (5) Dylan Strome, 6-3, 187, C, Erie (OHL) There’s some debate about his upside and whether he can be a true No. 1 centre in the NHL. But he’s a top-five pick.

5. (4) Lawson Crouse, 6-4, 211, LW, Kingston (OHL) He’s now working on a power line with Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson. Drives the net and has 28 goals.

6. (8) Ivan Provorov, 6-0, 191, D, Brandon (WHL) Since he’s been in North America for years, there seems to be little KHL worry attached to Provorov. Could he go top 5?

7. (6) Mitch Marner, 5-11, 155, C, London (OHL) With 124 points, it’s starting to look like he’ll be able to fend off challenges from McDavid and Strome and win the OHL scoring title.

8. (7) Mikko Rantanen, 6-3 1/2, 211, RW, Turku (Finland) A big, strong winger and left-handed shot who prefers to play the right side and impressed at the world juniors.

9. (9) Mathew Barzal, 5-11, 175, C, Seattle (WHL) Despite missing 28 games to injury, he’s now tied for team lead in scoring. Makes an impact in every game he plays.

0. (10) Zack Werenski, 6-2, 206, D, Michigan (NCAA) Great stick and poised with the puck. There’s still speculation he could end up in London with the Knights next season.

11. (11) Oliver Kylington, 6-0, 180, D, AIK (Sweden) Scouts love his skating and he may be most mobile blueliner in the draft. But his offensive creativity is the question.

12. (12) Timo Meier, 6-1, 208, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) Up to 43 goals, Meier and Nik Ehlers have formed a formidable 1-2 punch for the Mooseheads this year.

13. (13) Nick Merkley, 5-11, 191, RW, Kelowna (WHL) Seems like a very safe bet in this area of the draft because of his hockey sense. More of a playmaker than scorer.

14. (14) Pavel Zacha, 6-3, 210, C, Sarnia (OHL) After missing a lot of hockey due to injuries and suspensions, he’s now got 33 points in 36 games. Still an appealing skill set.

15. (15) Travis Konecny, 5-10, 175, RW, Ottawa (OHL) After falling to No. 26 in Central Scouting’s rankings, he’s expected to move up. Currently out with an upper body injury.

16. (16) Filip Chlapik, 6-1, 194, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL) Scouts love his skill and vision, some voice concern about his skating.

17. (22) Evgeni Svechnikov, 6-2, 199, RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL) He’s up to 30 goals and scouts very much liking what they see these days. A top-20 pick almost for sure.

18. (18) Kyle Connor, 6-1, 177, C, Youngstown (USHL) Now leads the USHL in scoring with 65 points in 47 games. He’s lean and needs to get stronger. Saginaw next year?

19. (17) Jakub Zboril, 6-1, 184, D, Saint John (QMJHL) Back from a mid-season MCL injury. Zboril plays with an edge and has some of the same package as Provorov.

20. (19) Colin White, 6-0, 185, C, USNTDP (USHL) Getting rolling after illness and injuries set him back. Scouts know his resume and aren’t likely to be put off by his so-so stats.

21. (21) Jeremy Roy, 6-0, 189, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) Seems rock solid in this area of the first round. Is a smooth-skating blueliner who can make plays.

22. (20) Daniel Sprong, 6-0, 189, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL) Talk to two scouts and you’ll get two different opinions, often vastly different. But no one denies the skill level.

23. (23) Thomas Chabot, 6-1, 181, D, Saint John (QMJHL) A sore hip flexor held him back and now isn’t rising as quickly as he was pre-Christmas. But he’s still a good first-round bet.

24. (24) Brock Boeser, 6-0, 191, RW, Waterloo (USHL) Headed to North Dakota next fall and now has 29 goals in 49 games. He’s a pro-style winger.

25. (25) Paul Bittner, 6-4, 206, LW, Portland (WHL) Scouts blow hot and cold on the big Minnesotan. But his team is hot and he’s got 33 goals and a plus-39 rating.

26. (26) Brandon Carlo, 6-5, 198, D, Tri-City (WHL) He missed games recently after being hit in the head with a puck. Still might be best stay-at-home defender in the draft.

arrowup 27. (NR) Jansen Harkins, C, 6-1, 170, Prince George (WHL) Has been a solid scorer all season while playing against No. 1 centres. A smart, complete player.

28. (28) Jordan Greenway, 6-5, 222, LW, USNTDP (USHL) His younger brother, a defenceman, is also in Ann Arbor. Heading to Boston University next season.

29. (NR) Vince Dunn, D, 6-0, 185, Niagara (OHL) The IceDogs are as hot as anybody in the East, and Dunn’s a big reason why. He’s sixth in OHL defence scoring with 17 goals and 53 points.

30. (30) Jake DeBrusk, 5-11 1/2, 171, LW, Swift Current (WHL) In 70 games, has 39 goals. Son of Sportsnet hockey analyst and former NHLer Louie DeBrusk.

- BiggE

If Tampa lose in the first round and we get Marner and Roy...

I don't think the system has anything to do with it. I think it's about the mix of players, and execution.
- MJL

All four of the main centers are having mediocre offensive seasons at ES because they are coached to hang back in the offensive zone.

Giroux 1.61 ESP/60
Couturier 1.3 ESP/60
Laughton 0.85 ESP/60
Bellemare 0.79 ESP/60

If Tampa lose in the first round and we get Marner and Roy...
- Feanor

What is we won the lottery that will never happen tho

Would you guys consider trading a package of both Schenn boys to EDM for Yak?
I think Yak has the top end offensive skills they need badly and in the right system (hopefully with a new set of coaches here) could really thrive.

I'm sure the deal may need to be tweaked but this intrigued me.
Sure it's risky, Yak may never learn the two way game. But keeping both Schenn's is risky in its own way.

I honestly don't think they can get a top flight D in a trade anymore.