While I agree to an extent, I fear that if A-Mac is on the roster in any capacity, he will be paired with Provorov again. Thats my nightmare.
- jak521

It's certainly not ideal to have MacDonald on the top pairing if they want to be a top team but there's a big picture here. I don't think they want to play Gudas with Provorov so they can spread around the experience. No what is a worse nightmare, overplaying and exposing a young player to a situation and role he is not ready for and setting that player back in development or even worse. Need to have patience, MacDonald's time as a Flyer is limited. All in due time.

Good point, though with a (hopefully) fully healthy Giroux and Patrick added to the mix, he may actually see a bit less ice time at ES and much more when the team is shorthanded. With PEB and VdV gone (YAY!), I have to think that he is their number 1 PKer right now and may see 2.5 to 3 minutes per game on the kill.
- BiggE

for whatever reason, he has scored very poorly on the PP. I really dont care if he ever gets PP time. Usually its easier to score, but that hasnt worked for him for whatever reason.

Side note...I think Patrick and his linemates will be able to get sheltered quite a bit. You figure Giroux can take draws in the D zone, Coots can obviously handle it, and I expect them to be able to put together an okay 4th line. Should lead to some favorable matchups as he transitions to the NHL

I hear ya. I'd really like to see a top pairing of Provorov/Gudas
- BiggE

I think it all depends on how the camp goes honestly.

I have a really hard time believing that if Sanheim stands out they send him back. The second half of last year he was the top d-man for the Phantoms, and produced a serious amount of offense at 5v5.

The biggest knock on him a few years ago (and persisted a bit early last year) was that his play in his own zone was a work in progress. I think that it was a bit over blown personally. He is always gonna be a guy who has some sort of risk/reward element in his game, but watching him a bunch last year, I honestly didnt think he was as roving as some make him sound. He picked his spots, but when he has the puck on his stick it really is a thing of beauty...

It's certainly not ideal to have MacDonald on the top pairing if they want to be a top team but there's a big picture here. I don't think they want to play Gudas with Provorov so they can spread around the experience. No what is a worse nightmare, overplaying and exposing a young player to a situation and role he is not ready for and setting that player back in development or even worse. Need to have patience, MacDonald's time as a Flyer is limited. All in due time.
- MJL

I get it, but I just wanna see Provorov have a bit more talent beside him. I think Amac would be okay playing 16-18 a night, but I just dont see who he could pair up with. This is why when the (now erroneous) report that Markov and the Flyers was heating up I thought it made sense. Forget the Russian factor, but Provy will learn and better himself with a better partner. Less hesitation. Better cohesion. Having a good partner brings out the best in you... Just dont tell that to my wife.

I get it, but I just wanna see Provorov have a bit more talent beside him. I think Amac would be okay playing 16-18 a night, but I just dont see who he could pair up with. This is why when the (now erroneous) report that Markov and the Flyers was heating up I thought it made sense. Forget the Russian factor, but Provy will learn and better himself with a better partner. Less hesitation. Better cohesion. Having a good partner brings out the best in you... Just dont tell that to my wife.
- jak521

I think you're making way too much of it. Provorov excelled as a 19-20 year old rookie playing on a top pairing in the NHL with MacDonald. MacDonald didn't hurt him. Unless they want to play Gudas on the top pairing, based on the Flyers defense, MacDonald is the player best suited for that role now. I don't see them wanting to over expose 3 rookies.

Because you're not looking at yourself when you're playing?

If it was the fit of the equipment, fine, though that is a little weak. But, if the color of his own pads is an excuse he used for poor performances then that's absurd. And it replaces the "new lighting at the Wells Fargo Center makes it hard to see the puck" as my new favorite Mason excuse.
- LindsayCarson

I played goalie for 15 years. Always had blue/silver/white pads, and they got stolen one year, so I decided to get something flashier that matched my teams jersey (mostly white with hints of red & black) and went with all red pads, blocker, glove, the whole 9. Couldn't play worth a poop with those on, lost all 3 games I played with them, and had atrocious numbers. The complete difference in color in peripherals throws off your tracking like crazy and is just a huge distraction. Exchanged them for my usual color pads (same brand, same everything besides color) and I was back to normal instantly. I know I'm not a pro, but it had a massive effect on me, and I can't blame Mason for being pissed off about being forced to use a color he wasn't comfortable with.

Good point, though with a (hopefully) fully healthy Giroux and Patrick added to the mix, he may actually see a bit less ice time at ES and much more when the team is shorthanded. With PEB and VdV gone (YAY!), I have to think that he is their number 1 PKer right now and may see 2.5 to 3 minutes per game on the kill.
- BiggE

I see Coots-Simmer as PK1... watch out for Simmers ES minutes taking a dive. PK1 and PP1 time will be his bread and butter I think.

for whatever reason, he has scored very poorly on the PP. I really dont care if he ever gets PP time. Usually its easier to score, but that hasnt worked for him for whatever reason.

Side note...I think Patrick and his linemates will be able to get sheltered quite a bit. You figure Giroux can take draws in the D zone, Coots can obviously handle it, and I expect them to be able to put together an okay 4th line. Should lead to some favorable matchups as he transitions to the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

Re Couts:

I think he's put in the wrong position on the PP. He's playing the left half wall. Put him in the middle, have him use that big frame he's got.

Re Patrick:

I see Patrick playing with at least one winger who is defensively responsible, maybe Read, Raffl, Filpulla, etc., at least to start, until he proves he can effectively play center in the NHL (which I don't see being an issue).

for whatever reason, he has scored very poorly on the PP. I really dont care if he ever gets PP time. Usually its easier to score, but that hasnt worked for him for whatever reason.

Side note...I think Patrick and his linemates will be able to get sheltered quite a bit. You figure Giroux can take draws in the D zone, Coots can obviously handle it, and I expect them to be able to put together an okay 4th line. Should lead to some favorable matchups as he transitions to the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

A 4th line of Raffl-Laughton/Lehtera-Read/Weise should be able to take some DZ draws and also be able to sustain pressure in the OZ, which is what the two main parts of last year's 4th line were terrible at.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...rsi&sort=F60&sortdir=DESC

I get it, but I just wanna see Provorov have a bit more talent beside him. I think Amac would be okay playing 16-18 a night, but I just dont see who he could pair up with. This is why when the (now erroneous) report that Markov and the Flyers was heating up I thought it made sense. Forget the Russian factor, but Provy will learn and better himself with a better partner. Less hesitation. Better cohesion. Having a good partner brings out the best in you... Just dont tell that to my wife.
- jak521

I'd like to see to start the season:

Provorov-Gudas
Hagg or Sanheim-AMac
Morin or Hagg-Ghost
Manning

I see Coots-Simmer as PK1... watch out for Simmers ES minutes taking a dive. PK1 and PP1 time will be his bread and butter I think.
- dragonoffrost

Agreed

I think you're making way too much of it. Provorov excelled as a 19-20 year old rookie playing on a top pairing in the NHL with MacDonald. MacDonald didn't hurt him. Unless they want to play Gudas on the top pairing, based on the Flyers defense, MacDonald is the player best suited for that role now. I don't see them wanting to over expose 3 rookies.
- MJL

Do you think Gudas should be playing with Provorov on the top line? Or do you think McDonald should be?

The bolded is just a bit vague to me, I'm not exactly sure what you mean is all.

Re Couts:

I think he's put in the wrong position on the PP. He's playing the left half wall. Put him in the middle, have him use that big frame he's got.
- VladDrag

I think there are three possible PP options for Couturier this season.

1. Replacing Schenn on PP1. I think this is the obvious spot for Lindblom eventually but maybe they go with a left handed veteran like him, Filppula or Lehtera to start the season.

2. In front of the net on PP2.

3. Left right out of the powerplay. If PP1 is the core four + Lindblom, then you can easily imagine a 2nd unit without Couturier.

Weal-Patrick-Konecny
Provorov-Filppula/Lehtera/Sanheim

New Blog

Do you think Gudas should be playing with Provorov on the top line? Or do you think McDonald should be?

The bolded is just a bit vague to me, I'm not exactly sure what you mean is all.
- VladDrag

I think the pairings will be better with Provorov and Gudas separated and MacDonald with Provorov