PP struggled because 2/5 players on it do essentially nothing. Simmer screens or does his out move that teams close off second nature Schenn does the same thing, except his out move is just a one timer that barely works. So the PP uses 3 people essentially. And Jake/G play their off side, which makes catching and passing harder and more importantly slower.

It used to be very nice, but they've been running the same damn thing for forever and the book is out. They take forever playing pitch and catch. Just play aggressive on those 3 and the PP dies. Our PP has no fluidity or dynamic qualities. It's G to Ghost-1 timer. Jake cut move. The other stuff that never works. And that's essentially it. 3 on 4 PP is what it feels like. They don't use giant parts of the ice and almost half the unit.
- Mononoke

simmonds is very one dimensional on the PP i admit, but i just think that is a very important dimension. its on the other players more to make use of him. i know thats sort of unfair, but he excels in a role. and that role is largely dependent upon others.

the off wing stuff is frustrating. schenn has gotten a little bit better as a player, but i still dont view him as anything that special on the PP.

do you see solutions in house?

simmonds is very one dimensional on the PP i admit, but i just think that is a very important dimension. its on the other players more to make use of him. i know thats sort of unfair, but he excels in a role. and that role is largely dependent upon others.

the off wing stuff is frustrating. schenn has gotten a little bit better as a player, but i still dont view him as anything that special on the PP.

do you see solutions in house?
- stayinthefnnet

I like the 5 men on it. The issue is how they use them. Simmer and Schenn need to touch the puck. Schenn especially has plus puck skills. They both are the two best goal scorers and shooters on the team. They're reduced to deflections or tap ins or just getting loose pucks. Then back to the set up.

I wish Jake and G would play a bit lower. I wish the unit would use behind the net and below goal line, and also do more bump in and out plays around the slot. Schenn and Simmer have to get involved and not be statues. Have more movement with picks and bodies. Moving Jake and G to opposite sides would help move the puck faster, but that may be a bridge too far. Almost no top PPs use off sides on the wing. Sharks don't and their PP is beautiful. Even those that do have a Stamkos or Ovi blasting 1Ts. G and Jake are more passers.

The Flyers are just an unwilling team to venture outside the CHL with a top pick. If Bellows, Kunin, or Rubtsov are taken, who we all seem to like the most, that would even be a change of pace. Bellows at least tore up the USHL 2 years ago (with Marody oddly) as a 16 year old and now again as a 17 year old with the UNDP. Kunin was fantastic for a bad college team. Even Rubtsov has been on the international scene for awhile and the MHL is a heavily scouted league.

Now, if that's a stretch, going all the way to high school for a top pick? That would be a shocker of epic proportions for this team.
- Mononoke

True enough. I don't agree with several mocks I've seen. I'll wait on McKenzie's

could be better off. theres really not a ton out there at first glance.
- stayinthefnnet

It's a weak class, no two ways about it

In Atlantic city again and all I can say is wow

simmonds is very one dimensional on the PP i admit, but i just think that is a very important dimension. its on the other players more to make use of him. i know thats sort of unfair, but he excels in a role. and that role is largely dependent upon others.

the off wing stuff is frustrating. schenn has gotten a little bit better as a player, but i still dont view him as anything that special on the PP.

do you see solutions in house?
- stayinthefnnet

Schenn plays a very key role on the PP, because he gets to so many loose pucks, and wins battles off the faceoff for the puck. Can't score on the PP, if you don't get it set up. The Flyer PP issue isn't because the book is out, it's because they fail to execute. The hold onto the puck for too long, and don't create movement from the defense. The Flyers had a top PP for a number of seasons, using the same umbrella setup. How long does it take for the book to come out?

Schenn plays a very key role on the PP, because he gets to so many loose pucks, and wins battles off the faceoff for the puck. Can't score on the PP, if you don't get it set up. The Flyer PP issue isn't because the book is out, it's because they fail to execute. The hold onto the puck for too long, and don't create movement from the defense. The Flyers had a top PP for a number of seasons, using the same umbrella setup. How long does it take for the book to come out?
- MJL

Absolutely. Giroux can get his shot off from the left half wall and he has been known to score but for the most part, G and Jake are two possession players looking to make plays. G is largely dependent on setting up the defenseman from the top of the umbrella. You'll likely see scoring chances from Ghost, Simmonds and Schenn before G and Jake who are looking to make a play from the outside.

and god i really hope provy isnt some ekblad esque stud right out of the packaging. he really scares me.

the return of del zotto will also be big. i understand i get my rocks off to puck moving defenseman, but i think people forget how large his absence loomed at the end.
- stayinthefnnet

I feel like we overrate what we have in Michael Del Zotto. I thought Del Zotto's defensive game has massively improved under Hakstol but I do question how long he could keep such play up, especially as being known as an offensive defenseman for most of his career and sometimes a liability.

In Atlantic city again and all I can say is wow
- funmaster18

I work in AC, it's really sad to see how low it has sunk.

it should be interesting now that Matthew Barnaby is now an assistant coach with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers
- ob18

He'll be in charge of diving instruction and how to be a complete tool.

I work in AC, it's really sad to see how low it has sunk.
- BiggE

it will be in the ocean in a couple years

Agree or disagree of who is on Gretzky's level of retiring a number for good.
- roenick97

the Great ONE

I like the 5 men on it. The issue is how they use them. Simmer and Schenn need to touch the puck. Schenn especially has plus puck skills. They both are the two best goal scorers and shooters on the team. They're reduced to deflections or tap ins or just getting loose pucks. Then back to the set up.

I wish Jake and G would play a bit lower. I wish the unit would use behind the net and below goal line, and also do more bump in and out plays around the slot. Schenn and Simmer have to get involved and not be statues. Have more movement with picks and bodies. Moving Jake and G to opposite sides would help move the puck faster, but that may be a bridge too far. Almost no top PPs use off sides on the wing. Sharks don't and their PP is beautiful. Even those that do have a Stamkos or Ovi blasting 1Ts. G and Jake are more passers.
- Mononoke

I wanted them to go down lower too, but they are royally screwed when Ghosts stick snaps on one timers

the Great ONE
- YuenglingJagr

Actually, I hate the idea of retiring any player's number league wide. If you are going to retire 99, then 4 and 9 should also be retired in my opinion. Orr dominated his era and what Howe did, in a 6 team league, was amazing.

I wanted them to go down lower too, but they are royally screwed when Ghosts stick snaps on one timers
- YuenglingJagr

Go back to wood sticks, problem solved.

I wanted them to go down lower too, but they are royally screwed when Ghosts stick snaps on one timers
- YuenglingJagr

I wouldn't mind seeing a top unit of Simmonds down low, Schenn the high slot, Giroux in his spot and Gostisbehere on the other half wall. I would then have Couturier up top.

This way you could have Couturier and Gostisbehere switch spots at times to show a different look but both are more shooters then Jake is.

I wouldn't mind seeing a top unit of Simmonds down low, Schenn the high slot, Giroux in his spot and Gostisbehere on the other half wall. I would then have Couturier up top.

This way you could have Couturier and Gostisbehere switch spots at times to show a different look but both are more shooters then Jake is.
- J35Bacher

Soooo...take our second best playermaker OFF the powerplay?

Soooo...take our second best playermaker OFF the powerplay?
- YuenglingJagr

Yes.

I thought at times the Flyers became very predictable because they just let Voracek shoot since they had no fear of it. Also I think Couturier is underrated in the playmaking area and has a better shot.

I just think they need a way to open some shooting lanes. With Gostisbehere at the top teams were starting to cheat his way and just let Voracek shoot.

I would like a more shooting powerplay and scoring more creasy goals. I feel like Giroux and Voracek sometimes try to get too cute with making passes that aren't there

I think Hak will be better also

the Great ONE
- YuenglingJagr

Fair enough. If Mr Hockey doesn't qualify or Bobby Orr, this was my question.

I think Hak will be better also
- vejim

Good point, agreed.

Good point, agreed.
- BiggE

Aye

Actually, I hate the idea of retiring any player's number league wide. If you are going to retire 99, then 4 and 9 should also be retired in my opinion. Orr dominated his era and what Howe did, in a 6 team league, was amazing.
- BiggE

I understood when baseball did this with Jackie Robinson. He broke ground beyond the game.

Retiring 99 league wide was a cute, but ill-conceived idea.

I understood when baseball did this with Jackie Robinson. He broke ground beyond the game.

Retiring 99 league wide was a cute, but ill-conceived idea.
- johndewar

#4 and #9 are just more commonly used numbers. No one is gonna be taking #99 anyways so its not as much of a loss to never be able to use it again. Plus.. he does happen to hold a few records thatll never be broken

He'll be in charge of diving instruction and how to be a complete tool.
- BiggE

Also could teach how to drive a car while drunk, without a tire