You can argue it, but it's a flawed argument. How about Simmonds goals? What kind of goals are they? If what you state is true, I'm wondering how come there aren't more 25 goal, 50 point forwards in the NHL? Schenn brought skill and production the lineup, dismissing it on the points you made is a bad argument.
- MJL

Meant to add Simmonds in parantheses in my one sentence, that's my bad. It very well could be said about him, but i did not mean to dismiss Schenn's skill as a whole, just that i think it's being overblown how difficult it will be to replicate / replace his points and production. We obviously won't see any validity to my argument/point until we see Schenn's replacement on the 1st unit this season. Let's revisit then

They just keep winning and winning, and stacking one cup on top of another. Their history makes my arguments look foolish!
- PLindbergh31

What does any of that have to do with what I said Clown Boy?

You don't need history, you do a pretty good job looking foolish on your own. Keep living in your negative delusion.

Blizzard of Ozz - still good all these years later
- Scoob

Randy Rhoads

No, it's just that I think if your top pair is going to match up with the opponents best players, it should be Provorov-Gudas. I think Gudas will do a better job in that spot than anyone else currently on the roster. If they don't make any moves, I have no problem with a 2nd pair of Hagg/AMac and a 3rd of Morin/Ghost, but I don't think any of those 4 have any business playing on a top pairing at this point in their careers
- BiggE

I don't think Gudas has any business being on the top pair either. Which really illustrates the need for one of the other kids to eventually develop into a top pair capable defenseman down the road. At this point.. this coming year... whoever takes that role opposite of Provorov is probably going to struggle some. It is what it is. (I hate that phrase but it applies here).

I don't think Gudas has any business being on the top pair either. Which really illustrates the need for one of the other kids to eventually develop into a top pair capable defenseman down the road. At this point.. this coming year... whoever takes that role opposite of Provorov is probably going to struggle some. It is what it is. (I hate that phrase but it applies here).
- Doc_Sarcasm

Oh don't get me wrong, Gudas is far from an optimal top pair guy. I just think right now, going into 17-18, he's the best option they have.

He's better than AMac and Ghost's game is not suited for that role. Hagg and/or Morin may one day both be suited for that type of role, but not at the start of their rookie seasons. Neither is at the level that Provorov was as a rookie.

Not knowing who your starting goalie is on June 28 is a fool proof plan. I'm not sure why everyone doesn't adopt this strategy.
- PLindbergh31

Well.. when the season starts on June 29, its a terrible position to be in.

But guess what, cupcake? Free agency doesnt even start until Saturday, and the season itself isnt even a ship's smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves.

I don't think Gudas has any business being on the top pair either. Which really illustrates the need for one of the other kids to eventually develop into a top pair capable defenseman down the road. At this point.. this coming year... whoever takes that role opposite of Provorov is probably going to struggle some. It is what it is. (I hate that phrase but it applies here).
- Doc_Sarcasm

I actually wouldn't mind a top pair of Provorov-hagg.

I think Hagg's game lends itself to being able to play some heavy minutes. It isn't flashy and he can play a steady game. Plus he has the size and skating that can play top lines.

Well.. when the season starts on June 29, its a terrible position to be in.

But guess what, cupcake? Free agency doesnt even start until Saturday, and the season itself isnt even a ship's smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Bernier to the rescue!!!

I actually wouldn't mind a top pair of Provorov-hagg.

I think Hagg's game lends itself to being able to play some heavy minutes. It isn't flashy and he can play a steady game. Plus he has the size and skating that can play top lines.
- J35Bacher

I agree with Hagg. It just isn't happening from the start. The defensemen will be brought along and given more responsibility as they earn it. Same thing happened with Provorov, who is better.

I think you'll see a lot of scratchings everyone freaked out about last year. It will be better because there is no longer Vandevelde, but Manning will be playing in place of these guys a lot.

I actually wouldn't mind a top pair of Provorov-hagg.

I think Hagg's game lends itself to being able to play some heavy minutes. It isn't flashy and he can play a steady game. Plus he has the size and skating that can play top lines.
- J35Bacher

It would not totally shock me if that were the pair by the end of the season. At this point, its way too early to tell.

Well.. when the season starts on June 29, its a terrible position to be in.

But guess what, cupcake? Free agency doesnt even start until Saturday, and the season itself isnt even a ship's smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves.
- Doc_Sarcasm

He needs to shine on like the crazy diamond he is.

I agree with Hagg. It just isn't happening from the start. The defensemen will be brought along and given more responsibility as they earn it. Same thing happened with Provorov, who is better.

I think you'll see a lot of scratchings everyone freaked out about last year. It will be better because there is no longer Vandevelde, but Manning will be playing in place of these guys a lot.
- YuenglingJagr

I could see Provorov-Hagg being a top pair later in the season too, just not in game 1.

Bernier to the rescue!!!
- PLindbergh31

Doubtful, but it would give you something else to whine and cry about. I almost think you have your fingers crossed hoping it will happen.

Doubtful, but it would give you something else to whine and cry about. I almost think you have your fingers crossed hoping it will happen.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Probably already drafted his posts to whine about it.

Probably already drafted his posts to whine about it.
- Baxter27

just a cut and paste away...

Doubtful, but it would give you something else to whine and cry about. I almost think you have your fingers crossed hoping it will happen.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Actually hoping it will be Niemi. Need to have a tender with a Stanley Cup pedigree.
Kings/Flyers Cup final, Carter clanks one off Niemi's mask in game 6. Etch it in stone.

I don't think it's at all unrealistic to assume increased goal production from the following players:

Coots +6 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Giroux +6 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Konecny +9 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Raffl + 7 from last year to get to 15.
Voracek + 5 to hit 25.
Gostisbehere + 8 to get to 15.
Provorov + 9 to get to 15.

That's already + 50 goals from last season. Granted injuries happen and some players may produce less than last years totals and some may produce beyond my bonus projections. This also isn't factoring in Lindblom, Patrick or whatever rookie Dmen come up.

Randy Rhoads



- BiggE

Never get onto a plane where the pilot has been up all night doing coke.

Panotch is leaving CSN

Never get onto a plane where the pilot has been up all night doing coke.
- jmatchett383

I have never once drug tested a pilot of a plane I've been on.

Panaccio designated for re-assignment.

As for Lehterä, he is not going to be expected to replace Schenn in terms of goal scoring. Think of him more along the lines of being part of the immediate replacement plan for the guys departing in the bottom six

I think a big problem with the Flyers is that they even have a bottom 6. Seems like nowadays teams should have 3 scoring lines - a top 9. I would say trade Couturier for something that would bring more of an offensive aspect to the 3rd line.

I don't think it's at all unrealistic to assume increased goal production from the following players:

Coots +6 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Giroux +6 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Konecny +9 from last year to hit the 20 mark.
Raffl + 7 from last year to get to 15.
Voracek + 5 to hit 25.
Gostisbehere + 8 to get to 15.
Provorov + 9 to get to 15.

That's already + 50 goals from last season. Granted injuries happen and some players may produce less than last years totals and some may produce beyond my bonus projections. This also isn't factoring in Lindblom, Patrick or whatever rookie Dmen come up.
- Pixote Andolini

I think your bottom 3 or 4 are a little too high to expect but I see your point.

Bottom line, just because the team struggled to score doesn't mean they will this year. almost 50% of the roster is turning over and there were many underachieving and developing players.

just because

Panotch is leaving CSN
- aightwebang17

Was never a fan of his.. but as tough as that industry is to make a living in these days, I hope his departure was voluntary and I hope he lands on his feet.