I will happily carry them on my back to Pittsburgh.
- Jsaquella

I don't think you could do that. You'd take two steps and you would be out cold from some head shots.

Nah, I love that Kovacevic has the ability to abandon a deeply held belief as soon as the wind shifts. Takes a flexible spine to be that shallow
- Jsaquella

I saw slow development and thought of BB, figured I'd make the troll trade

I don't think you could do that. You'd take two steps and you would be out cold from some head shots.
- znagle

But I'd make the effort and that's what really matters

I saw slow development and thought of BB, figured I'd make the troll trade
- znagle

Trade for him...give them Schenn, that ought to do her
- Jsaquella

I wonder what they'd have to include with Schenn to get him.

But I'd make the effort and that's what really matters
- Jsaquella

You skate hard. You are an effective NHL PK machine.

I wonder what they'd have to include with Schenn to get him.
- jmatchett383

God only knows, but the Isles have some good defensive depth. Not that it makes Pulock more available, just makes me jealous

Agreed, I think they are in good position & can add to it in June.
- ob18

If you've watched a bunch of Hitmen games what's your feeling on Karnaukhov.

Only if you throw in Rinaldo
- znagle

If you're getting that stud, Max Lapierre better be coming back.

While we're at it, since we know how much Pittsburgh seems to like trading young defensemen for players with past Pittsburgh connections (see; Despres, Simon), how about Derek Pouliot for RJ Umberger?

As I said over at the other place. I would like to see them give Hagg a taste for a game or two. Nothing to lose at all. Maybe give Alt a game or two as well. Rotate em up, let em see what they need to do to stay.
- MBFlyerfan

I'd like to see that too. I thought all the kids played pretty well against the sharks on Saturday.

God only knows, but the Isles have some good defensive depth. Not that it makes Pulock more available, just makes me jealous
- Jsaquella

You'd think with us stealing their two best defensemen in those trades over the last few years the cupboard would be bare.

You'd think with us stealing their two best defensemen in those trades over the last few years the cupboard would be bare.
- mayorofangrytown

Wait.

You'd think with us stealing their two best defensemen in those trades over the last few years the cupboard would be bare.
- mayorofangrytown

/depth

You'd think with us stealing their two best defensemen in those trades over the last few years the cupboard would be bare.
- mayorofangrytown

Strait still available

Strait still available
- PhillySportsGuy

How many 2nd rounders would it take to poach Visnovsky? I hear we have a 5-year deal awaiting him.

@LesBowen: That long? RT @waynefish1: Luke Schenn out for reminder of season with lower body injury.

(frank)ing Les. Lol

If you're getting that stud, Max Lapierre better be coming back.

While we're at it, since we know how much Pittsburgh seems to like trading young defensemen for players with past Pittsburgh connections (see; Despres, Simon), how about Derek Pouliot for RJ Umberger?
- jmatchett383

Despres was ass though. But you got yourself a deal.

I wouldn't be stunned if they ended up signing 5 or 6 guys out of that 2014 draft class to ELCs. Already have three (Sanheim, Aube-Kubel & Pitbull) Could see Lindblom, Fazleev & Friedman getting deals in future
- Jsaquella

How many 2nd rounders would it take to poach Visnovsky? I hear we have a 5-year deal awaiting him.
- jmatchett383

two 2nds. Trade for him the day before FA

- aightwebang17

I wish I could get paid to dance like that and drink bud light...

@LesBowen: That long? RT @waynefish1: Luke Schenn out for reminder of season with lower body injury.

(frank)ing Les. Lol
- PhillySportsGuy

I say we just roll with the Lauridsen/Manning/Alt trio for the remainder.

I say we just roll with the Lauridsen/Manning/Alt trio for the remainder.
- jmatchett383

Less Ollie, more Hagg

I say we just roll with the Lauridsen/Manning/Alt trio for the remainder.
- jmatchett383

If CC and Streit are overt he flu it'll probably be.

MDZ-Schultz
Grossmann-Streit
Colaiacovo-Manning

Tankalicious.

I really think people underestimate Couturier's value. On the Flyer's side of the red line, he's elite and he's an elite penalty killer. He's 22 and if his offensive game never comes around, he's a very solid third line center that can go up against the very best of any other team. Ask Malkin. A defensive minded player tends to be an unsung type of player. Granted, I'd love and expect to see Couturier be a 40-50 pt player. I feel like many others on here he needs to simply his offensive game and dedicate himself to getting stronger. He's listed at 6-3 197. He needs to be 6-3 215. I'd love to see a monster Sean Couturier driving the net at 6-3 215. Hell... 210 even.

Schenn, on the other hand. When I look at him, nothing he does sticks out as exceptional. He's an NHLer. I mean, he does have 38 pts only 3 shy of last year. What do you guys thing would be acceptable production for him? I'd be happy w/him in the 50pt range, but more goals. 14 goals does not cut it. As others have said, he needs to play w/an edge every night and be better in his own end. That's when he seems to be on his game the best.

On the offensive side, they flyers are badly in need of two bona-fide top 6 left wingers. Not centers they are going to make a project out of and convert to wing, but big, sniping, left wingers that have speed and can skate. Thinking they draft one this year, but who knows when they'll be ready to step in.

Defensively, I throw my hands up. Aside from MDZ, Shultz and maybe Streit. To say they need work is an understatement. Gostisbehere's injury this year was a major setback. Maybe Morin can run w/the big dogs (prob 3rd pairing minutes). Basically I think they need 2 top 4 defensemen (I know easier said than done). Who knows maybe Morin can move into the 4th dman role and Manning into the 6th.

Guys I'd like to see them move: L. Schenn, Grossmann, MacDonald, Vinny (obviously). I may consider moving Laughton too. The problem is I don't know that any of they are movable.

Below is a projected roster illustrating the holes they need filled. The more I think about it, they really aren't too far off, but are in cap hell (thanks Homer):

?? Giroux Voracek
?? Schenn Simmonds
Raffl Couturier Read
Vandevelde Bellemare White
Rinaldo

Streit ??
DelZotto ??
Schultz Morin

Mason
??

Actually, in practice conditions, Couturier often shows pretty good hands.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I've seen this line in your blogs before, most notably attached to Zac Rinaldo... I'm sure 99.9% of NHL'ers can pull off marvelous feats under no pressure, skating at half speed and with a lot space. The wheat and chaff get separated during games, tho.

Not saying Coots isn't skilled -- he obviously is -- but in addition to his still-nascent assertiveness on O, he doesn't seem to be able to execute offensive plays with a high enough degree of success to convert many of his chances into points yet.

Same goes for B Schenn, but at least he does have more frequent hero moments with the puck.

I still have faith that both will eventually get there... 50-60 pt players would be a success in my book.