Really? He was awful in the playoffs. Taking runs at people ≠ helping team win. He was essentially Tom Wilson in that series, with the offense to match.
- Mononoke

agreed

Do you consider anyone of them a #1 defenseman?
- psuhockey

No, but I think this 2018 D lineup can definitely be part of a Cup contender, even if one of Morin and Sanheim busts. And there's always the possibility Hextall upgrades the defense thru trades or free agency.

MDZ-Ghost
Provorov-Gudas
Morin/Sanheim-MacDonald

Schenn is heavily overrated and over valued by the hardcore orange tinted glasses portion of the fan base.
- MikesPillBottle

Good thing you showed up to educate us. In the three+ years I've been here, just about every thread degenerated into a competition of who loves Brayden Schenn the most.

Good thing you showed up to educate us. In the three+ years I've been here, just about every thread degenerated into a competition of who loves Brayden Schenn the most.
- Feanor

Not much of a "competition" when it is the same winner every year

Not much of a "competition" when it is the same winner every year
- Mononoke

His mom

His mom
- YuenglingJagr

Not even her

Really? He was awful in the playoffs. Only taking runs at people ≠ helping team win. He was essentially Tom Wilson in that series, with the offense to match.
- Mononoke

No, but I think this 2018 D lineup can definitely be part of a Cup contender, even if one of Morin and Sanheim busts. And there's always the possibility Hextall upgrades the defense thru trades or free agency.

MDZ-Ghost
Provorov-Gudas
Morin/Sanheim-MacDonald
- Feanor

I agree in that I think 2018 would be the earliest this team could make a run. The prospects will all have a couple of seasons under their belt but that is Simmonds last year on his contract. That's cutting it close with him on the roster. Or do you think having a 2nd year Dubois as your 3rd line center would have a greater impact on the team from that year going forward?

So Provorov will be a #1 defenseman by his 2nd season? Or maybe Gostisbehere will be a #1 defenseman by his 3rd season?

For context Doughty didn't win a cup until his 4th season. Keith in his 5th. Victor Hedman just dominating a few season ago 5-6th season. Expecting these guys to come in and revolutionize the defense right away is wishful thinking and setting yourself for a massive disappointment.
- psuhockey

I didnt say provorov will be a #1, nor did i say Ghost would be. my reasoning is that in two years, my expectation is that provy, morin, and konecny will all be solid contributors to the team come 2017-18. Maybe not the best at their positions, but making contributions in areas of need. add another season to ghost, another season of MDZ and Gudas in the system, hopefully konecny makes the team this year, but if not, he will be coming in with a head full of steam in his rookie year and could turn some heads. is it realistic for him to put up a rookie season like panarin? No. Is it realistic for him to put together a rookie year thats a few steps below? Sure. plus, he wouldnt even be a top liner or getting ice time. what those guys would be doing is giving us something we dont have or severely lack in. defense, aggressiveness, speed, scoring, etc. you're telling me you dont think the window opens with this lineup on opening night 2017-18???

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Cousins - Raffl
Leier - PEB - White

MDZ - Ghost (2way - O-Dman)
Provorov - Gudas (2way - D-Dman)
Morin - Sanheim (D-Dman - O-Dman)

if you disagree thats fine, but thats where i think the window opens. that lineup is already better, talent wise, than half the teams in the conference. the top 9 is sexy as hell, the defense is young, fast, and has a perfect combination of guys. If MDZ's 2 way play continues, i see him and Ghost as a solid top pairing.

If im off, im off by maybe one year, so 2018-19, tops. Simmer will have only one year left but with all the young guys on the team, and the cap continuously going up, it should absolutely not be a problem.he will be 29, G will be 30, Jake will be 28, Schenn will be 26, Coots will be 25.

Thats what i call an open window.

I didnt say provorov will be a #1, nor did i say Ghost would be. my reasoning is that in two years, my expectation is that provy, morin, and konecny will all be solid contributors to the team come 2017-18. Maybe not the best at their positions, but making contributions in areas of need. add another season to ghost, another season of MDZ and Gudas in the system, hopefully konecny makes the team this year, but if not, he will be coming in with a head full of steam in his rookie year and could turn some heads. is it realistic for him to put up a rookie season like panarin? No. Is it realistic for him to put together a rookie year thats a few steps below? Sure. plus, he wouldnt even be a top liner or getting ice time. what those guys would be doing is giving us something we dont have or severely lack in. defense, aggressiveness, speed, scoring, etc. you're telling me you dont think the window opens with this lineup on opening night 2017-18???

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Cousins - Raffl
Leier - PEB - White

MDZ - Ghost (2way - O-Dman)
Provorov - Gudas (2way - D-Dman)
Morin - Sanheim (D-Dman - O-Dman)

if you disagree thats fine, but thats where i think the window opens. that lineup is already better, talent wise, than half the teams in the conference. the top 9 is sexy as hell, the defense is young, fast, and has a perfect combination of guys. If MDZ's 2 way play continues, i see him and Ghost as a solid top pairing.

If im off, im off by maybe one year, so 2018-19, tops. Simmer will have only one year left but with all the young guys on the team, and the cap continuously going up, it should absolutely not be a problem.he will be 29, G will be 30, Jake will be 28, Schenn will be 26, Coots will be 25.

Thats what i call an open window.
- sjk540

You forgot to include the goalies...which are important

You forgot to include the goalies...which are important
- YuenglingJagr

Mason or Neuvirth/Stolarz

That's almost a given.

An increase in PP goals and PP points and shooting %.
- MBFlyerfan

I believe his shot is underrated, but I also don't believe he can sustain 14-15% shooting. Hard to say whether this past year was a product of a step forward or a bit of riding elevated %'s.

Mason or Neuvirth/Stolarz

That's almost a given.
- dragonoffrost

the or is pretty important

the or is pretty important
- YuenglingJagr

That choice is Hextall/Hakstol/Dilly's to make. But it will be one or the other not both.

Mason or Neuvirth/Stolarz

That's almost a given.
- dragonoffrost

Neuvirth Stolarz looks good

I believe his shot is underrated, but I also don't believe he can sustain 14-15% shooting. Hard to say whether this past year was a product of a step forward or a bit of riding elevated %'s.
- Tomahawk

I think the S% will be supplemented by the increase in shots. He averaged 2.11 shots per game pre ASB and 2.37 spg after. 2.37 roughly translates to 194 shots on the season which is 23-24 goals. His best month, Feb., saw his highest shot total and highest shooting percentage. Shooting percentage fluctuates but really the challenge will be to continue to generate shots and shots on goal. Using a guy like Marchand for example (career year)...He had almost 100 more attempts than ever before even though his S% is in line with career averages.

I dont think anyone can debate there was a clear difference in Schenn's effort and ability to take shots in the second half of the season. That is where I see the production building from

Trade Halak, dehann and a pick or propsect for Simmonds.

Neuvirth Stolarz looks good
- 2Real

And when Neuvirth let's in the first softie everyone will be screaming for Stolie

That choice is Hextall/Hakstol/Dilly's to make. But it will be one or the other not both.
- dragonoffrost

Well that is a hot take right there if ive ever seen it

Thanks for your input

Trade Halak, dehann and a pick or propsect for Simmonds.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yes, because the Flyers need a 1C option in goal.

Neuvirth Stolarz looks good
- 2Real

Cause Neuvirth had a good half a season?

I agree in that I think 2018 would be the earliest this team could make a run. The prospects will all have a couple of seasons under their belt but that is Simmonds last year on his contract. That's cutting it close with him on the roster. Or do you think having a 2nd year Dubois as your 3rd line center would have a greater impact on the team from that year going forward?
- psuhockey

#4 for Simmonds is a hard offer to turn down, but I don't know that the Oilers would do it or that Simmonds would waive his NTC.

Boston got a great deal for one year of Lucic so I don't see the hurry to move Simmer.

Cause Neuvirth had a good half a season?
- opeth_pa

I figured he was referring to how good stolarz looked on the bench

I think the S% will be supplemented by the increase in shots. He averaged 2.11 shots per game pre ASB and 2.37 spg after. 2.37 roughly translates to 194 shots on the season which is 23-24 goals. His best month, Feb., saw his highest shot total and highest shooting percentage. Shooting percentage fluctuates but really the challenge will be to continue to generate shots and shots on goal. Using a guy like Marchand for example (career year)...He had almost 100 more attempts than ever before even though his S% is in line with career averages.

I dont think anyone can debate there was a clear difference in Schenn's effort and ability to take shots in the second half of the season. That is where I see the production building from
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah, he's gonna have to increase his overall shot volume to get to 30+ goals. If he can get 200-250 shots per season, he might be worth the $5M+ per that people are talking about. If not... I dunno.

I didnt say provorov will be a #1, nor did i say Ghost would be. my reasoning is that in two years, my expectation is that provy, morin, and konecny will all be solid contributors to the team come 2017-18. Maybe not the best at their positions, but making contributions in areas of need. add another season to ghost, another season of MDZ and Gudas in the system, hopefully konecny makes the team this year, but if not, he will be coming in with a head full of steam in his rookie year and could turn some heads. is it realistic for him to put up a rookie season like panarin? No. Is it realistic for him to put together a rookie year thats a few steps below? Sure. plus, he wouldnt even be a top liner or getting ice time. what those guys would be doing is giving us something we dont have or severely lack in. defense, aggressiveness, speed, scoring, etc. you're telling me you dont think the window opens with this lineup on opening night 2017-18???

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Cousins - Raffl
Leier - PEB - White

MDZ - Ghost (2way - O-Dman)
Provorov - Gudas (2way - D-Dman)
Morin - Sanheim (D-Dman - O-Dman)

if you disagree thats fine, but thats where i think the window opens. that lineup is already better, talent wise, than half the teams in the conference. the top 9 is sexy as hell, the defense is young, fast, and has a perfect combination of guys. If MDZ's 2 way play continues, i see him and Ghost as a solid top pairing.

If im off, im off by maybe one year, so 2018-19, tops. Simmer will have only one year left but with all the young guys on the team, and the cap continuously going up, it should absolutely not be a problem.he will be 29, G will be 30, Jake will be 28, Schenn will be 26, Coots will be 25.

Thats what i call an open window.
- sjk540

I don't think the window opens in 2017-2018 because I don't believe prospects develop linearly. There is something called a sophomore slump for a reason and defensemen take even longer. I am not even sure that this team makes the playoffs next season because Gostisbehere could take a step back. And rookie additions are a crap shoot: for every contributor there is a Laughton who struggles. And I expect many rookies to be on 2017's team.

Maybe I have a pessimetic view of how close this team is. Yes it was a success to get into the playoffs but they were thoroughly outplayed IMO by a caps team half assing it and would have been swept if not for miraculous goaltending by Neuvirth. They were never really a threat to score in that series and their 5 goals in 6 games proved. I don't see how a team makes a jump from that performance to contenders in two seasons just adding rookies.