Bill, do you ever see Couturier as anything more than a defensive 3rd or 4th line center? I'm okay with him in a 3rd line role but I don't see why they seem to keep wanting to push him up as a 2nd line center. I MO that's a playmaker/scorers role in the top 6 and I don't see him ever being that.
- edmac812

Longer term I see him centering our shut down line once we get some other scoring forwards in here. A Raffl-Couts-Weise line can be deployed against other top units IMO and have success

Let's Go Flyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
- ggunky

I actually hope they give Weal a couple of games on the top couple lines.....let's see what he can do. Interesting to see where this organization goes in the next year. Hopefully the kids , like Leier and Laughton are brought in. Hopefully some of the D are ready.....if Morin is not ready by the start of next year, that has nothing to do with patience....same for Laughton . Please let guys like VDV and Bellemare go along with Streit, MDZ and Schultz . Stop blocking the kids. This league game s changing, it's a young league.
- landros 2

Agree with most of this. I am on the fence with MDZ. I am wondering if it wouldn't be prudent to keep him so the younger guys can work their way up the depth charts.

Bill, do you ever see Couturier as anything more than a defensive 3rd or 4th line center? I'm okay with him in a 3rd line role but I don't see why they seem to keep wanting to push him up as a 2nd line center. I MO that's a playmaker/scorers role in the top 6 and I don't see him ever being that.
- edmac812

I kind of think that it has a bit to do with the players he's with. If we could upgrade our top 6, then you never know. When he has been employed with more talent like with the World champs a couple years back, he showed some offensive ability. Having said that, if we have such a strong top six that he's pushed to slot 3 c, then I'd be just fine with it.

Bill, do you ever see Couturier as anything more than a defensive 3rd or 4th line center? I'm okay with him in a 3rd line role but I don't see why they seem to keep wanting to push him up as a 2nd line center. I MO that's a playmaker/scorers role in the top 6 and I don't see him ever being that.
- edmac812

He's shown signs of being able to play a top six role, but I agree he's most valuable as a shut down/ penalty killing center.

I kind of think that it has a bit to do with the players he's with. If we could upgrade our top 6, then you never know. When he has been employed with more talent like with the World champs a couple years back, he showed some offensive ability. Having said that, if we have such a strong top six that he's pushed to slot 3 c, then I'd be just fine with it.
- Hextall271

The most consistent the guy has been in his career I beleive was last year he may have went 16 games with 16 points prior to his injury if I'm not mistaken. I just don't see him as an offensive player, no scoring touch. As much as people gripe about Schenn, I do beleive he has that knack for the back of the net, albeit mostly on the PP but he has offensive flashes of dominance.

Agree with most of this. I am on the fence with MDZ. I am wondering if it wouldn't be prudent to keep him so the younger guys can work their way up the depth charts.
- Hextall271

At what cost? I have liked MDZ but he hasn't been good this year at all. I guess it comes down to where Hextall see's some of the youngsters at. To me he doesn't offer anything more th Macdonald and we are tied to that contract.

Streit played quite well this season until the separated shoulder. He has definitely struggled since his return.
- bmeltzer

He's probably nearing the end....if they use him in certain cituations I still think he helps.....but his days in philly are down to weeks hopefully....maybe a couple months if philly is close at the deadline. My god I hope Hextall has no intention of extending him.

xx

I thought Weise was one of the better Flyers forwards on Thursday. Still couldn't buy a goal but he was winning battles and at least trying to get to the net.
- bmeltzer

see this is the kind of stuff I don't get with the coaching staff.

I actually hope they give Weal a couple of games on the top couple lines.....let's see what he can do. Interesting to see where this organization goes in the next year. Hopefully the kids , like Leier and Laughton are brought in. Hopefully some of the D are ready.....if Morin is not ready by the start of next year, that has nothing to do with patience....same for Laughton . Please let guys like VDV and Bellemare go along with Streit, MDZ and Schultz . Stop blocking the kids. This league game s changing, it's a young league.
- landros 2

I have mixed feelings about this. I mean, i definitely want to see UFA's moved for more assets and I want to see the kids get a look but at the same time I think its beneficial for the kids to go on a playoff run with the Phantoms like Carter, Richards, Umberger, etc did during the lockout year.

Taking my 16 year old to her first game. Really need the hockey gods help to make it an entertaining one, a few goals, a fight maybe. Not gonna go crazy and actually ask for a win...

Taking my 16 year old to her first game. Really need the hockey gods help to make it an entertaining one, a few goals, a fight maybe. Not gonna go crazy and actually ask for a win...
- WhirlingDervish

I'm thinking of bringing my 12 year old daughter down to a game next year....think she'd have a blast.
Have fun today and good luck.

Taking my 16 year old to her first game. Really need the hockey gods help to make it an entertaining one, a few goals, a fight maybe. Not gonna go crazy and actually ask for a win...
- WhirlingDervish

Good luck! It's a fun experience and there is nothing like seeing a game live and in person, she'll have a blast.

I have mixed feelings about this. I mean, i definitely want to see UFA's moved for more assets and I want to see the kids get a look but at the same time I think its beneficial for the kids to go on a playoff run with the Phantoms like Carter, Richards, Umberger, etc did during the lockout year.
- nastyflyergirl

I think it's important to give some of these kids a taste at the NHL level as well....hopefully they can accomplish both this year. I just don't think you can lose sight to what the AHL is for and why those kids are there. Looking at the Flyers these days they should be free to play up in Lehigh come April anyways.

I agree with the frustrations our posters are saying. However first thing's first, let's find a goalie.

Can't trust Mason and Nuveirth can handle the role but health issues remain a bugaboo.

I actually hope they give Weal a couple of games on the top couple lines.....let's see what he can do. Interesting to see where this organization goes in the next year. Hopefully the kids , like Leier and Laughton are brought in. Hopefully some of the D are ready.....if Morin is not ready by the start of next year, that has nothing to do with patience....same for Laughton . Please let guys like VDV and Bellemare go along with Streit, MDZ and Schultz . Stop blocking the kids. This league game s changing, it's a young league.
- landros 2

I fully expect Bellemare to still be on the team next season.

I agree with the frustrations our posters are saying. However first thing's first, let's find a goalie.

Can't trust Mason and Nuveirth can handle the role but health issues remain a bugaboo.
- Pelle31Forever

If this means signing a goalie to anything more then a 2 year deal, no thank you.

I would be willing to resign either of the 2 current goalies if they are willing to do a 2 year deal.

Neither of the Flyers current goaltenders are the future and I don't see any free agent to be goalies as the future.

The Flyers have a poop ton of goalie prospects, i would prefer the Flyers bank the future on one of them.

I fully expect Bellemare to still be on the team next season.
- MJL

Out of that group he may be one I would be ok with...unless Laughton can take his place.....Hextall did say recently that he likes him.

If this means signing a goalie to anything more then a 2 year deal, no thank you.

I would be willing to resign either of the 2 current goalies if they are willing to do a 2 year deal.

Neither of the Flyers current goaltenders are the future and I don't see any free agent to be goalies as the future.

The Flyers have a poop ton of goalie prospects, i would prefer the Flyers bank the future on one of them.
- ggunky

They do have a glut of prospects....Sandstrom looks great....Hart and Stolarz have had great seasons....and Lyons has really played well when given the net. Have to wonder if Hextall will re up either current goalie. I agree neither has really stood out.

I fully expect Bellemare to still be on the team next season.
- MJL

out of all of the UFA's he would be the one I am fine with coming back. He is a nice depth player.

If this means signing a goalie to anything more then a 2 year deal, no thank you.

I would be willing to resign either of the 2 current goalies if they are willing to do a 2 year deal.

Neither of the Flyers current goaltenders are the future and I don't see any free agent to be goalies as the future.

The Flyers have a poop ton of goalie prospects, i would prefer the Flyers bank the future on one of them.
- ggunky

That's what I'm hoping for. But lm open to finding one by various means. Draft, trade, FA, maybe Stolarz Lyon, Hart are it.

1-12-2 against San Jose since 2001-2002. That type of futility against an opponent is stunning.

They do have a glut of prospects....Sandstrom looks great....Hart and Stolarz have had great seasons....and Lyons has really played well when given the net. Have to wonder if Hextall will re up either current goalie. I agree neither has really stood out.
- landros 2

Forgot about Sandstorm

1-12-2 against San Jose since 2001-2002. That type of futility against an opponent is stunning.
- PLindbergh31

And Flyers were 50-13-0 (17 ties) at home all-time against the Blues going into Monday's game. That type of dominance against an opponent is stunning.

Didn't matter, though.... Flyers lost on Monday.