Just a thought.. There has been a lot of talked about Giroux on the wing, and Coots centering the line. I wonder if there are just getting ready for the day when Patrick is 1C centering Giroux and Jake. At which time Coots slides back into the #2 slot. It is too much pressure to put on the kid to start. He's clearly got skill. And, this day could be next year, or later this year if Patrick progress quickly.
- leon neon

I was hoping in the very near future to see Patrick centering the 1st line, Giroux moving down to the 2nd, and Coots on the 3rd.

Just a thought.. There has been a lot of talked about Giroux on the wing, and Coots centering the line. I wonder if there are just getting ready for the day when Patrick is 1C centering Giroux and Jake. At which time Coots slides back into the #2 slot. It is too much pressure to put on the kid to start. He's clearly got skill. And, this day could be next year, or later this year if Patrick progress quickly.
- leon neon

It's a thought.

I just think they are tying to get Giroux a little more room and also allow a little less defensive work.

Also you do have a guy like Vorobyev coming so maybe they are looking to the future where you can go Couturier, Patrick and Vorobyev down the middle.

Also if you get a productive Giroux on the wing, then maybe you worries less about his decline. i think being in the middle was starting to wear on him physically.

It's a thought.

I just think they are tying to get Giroux a little more room and also allow a little less defensive work.

Also you do have a guy like Vorobyev coming so maybe they are looking to the future where you can go Couturier, Patrick and Vorobyev down the middle.

Also if you get a productive Giroux on the wing, then maybe you worries less about his decline. i think being in the middle was starting to wear on him physically.
- J35Bacher

Dont forget Rubstov.

Dont forget Rubstov.
- MBFlyerfan

I didn't.

But i also read he was playing wing in junior.

I like the size down the middle with Patrick, Vorobyev and Couturier.

I was hoping in the very near future to see Patrick centering the 1st line, Giroux moving down to the 2nd, and Coots on the 3rd.
- 77rams

Giroux's moved down to 0C.

Giroux's moved down to 0C.
- Feanor

with Lupul and Carter?

Siemens, Pokka, and Agostino on waivers today. I think Manning/Leier are more claimable than any of these guys, but they are least carry some level of intrigue for claiming

He has also played with a lot of mediocre wingers and forced to play a defensive game with less talent on the 2nd PP.

Yes I know it's just the preseason, but look at his mindset since they moved Giroux to wing. he is attacking the offensive zone more and he is creating chances.

If they keep this line together, I see Couturier with 20 goals this season. Especially with what i see from the 2nd PP unit.
- J35Bacher

Your first point I apologize isn't true. In the past two seasons Coots has saw time with Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn, Read and Konecny last season. In the last two seasons he hasn't played more than 66 games or get over 39 points his entire career.

I love Coots. I wouldn't trade him for nothing but he's gotta bring more than flashes of greatness in the offensive zone.

Can we give Hakstol some credit for what I think has been an excellent camp? I haven't seen any of the practices and don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but he had a ton on his plate and a lot of decisions to make, seems to have given everybody a fair shot and thrown in some outside the box experimentation that might pay off. Hopefully, he keeps this going.

Siemens, Pokka, and Agostino on waivers today. I think Manning/Leier are more claimable than any of these guys, but they are least carry some level of intrigue for claiming
- YuenglingJagr

Pokka is intriguing. Two years ago, Flyers would have been all over that.

Can we give Hakstol some credit for what I think has been an excellent camp? I haven't seen any of the practices and don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but he had a ton on his plate and a lot of decisions to make, seems to have given everybody a fair shot and thrown in some outside the box experimentation that might pay off. Hopefully, he keeps this going.
- fls13

Sure, but moving Giroux to LW instead of Filppula is a massive gamble so if it blows up in his face he won't have anywhere to hide. I'm sure Hextall is on board with it, but ultimately the coach is responsible for setting the lines.

Couturier-Voracek is already a proven combo for producing points and controlling the puck. You could put Filppula, or Konecny or Raffl or Weal on that line and that wouldn't change. But then you could have Giroux playing center. And healthy Giroux is a better all around center than Filppula.

Can I just say I love Konecny. He looked liked he wanted to get into some fun last night.

Guy reminds me of Pat Verbeek
- J35Bacher

minus about 35lbs

It's a thought.

I just think they are tying to get Giroux a little more room and also allow a little less defensive work.

Also you do have a guy like Vorobyev coming so maybe they are looking to the future where you can go Couturier, Patrick and Vorobyev down the middle.

Also if you get a productive Giroux on the wing, then maybe you worries less about his decline. i think being in the middle was starting to wear on him physically.
- J35Bacher

This!
I used to think this move would have benefitted Lindros.
Limiting his movement over the middle with his head down.

Sure, but moving Giroux to LW instead of Filppula is a massive gamble so if it blows up in his face he won't have anywhere to hide. I'm sure Hextall is on board with it, but ultimately the coach is responsible for setting the lines.
- Feanor

If it doesn't work out he can just move him back to center. It's a fairly low-risk move, imho.

My tip to Nolan regarding fighting...you'd be better served if you stuck to what you're best at.

Exciting as it was to some, he took one too many hits to the melon for my liking, against Krejci, no less. In a meaningless game at the worst possible time, up 4-0.

For now and the the foreseeable future, stay on the ice. Skate. Get your legs back under you again.
- 77rams

Oh please.

No, I am being serious. Ghost is a good skater, a very good shot and works his tail off, but against most wingers when it is down low he is too small to do anything of use. Sanheim has similar skills but is much bigger and better defensively. Provorov reminds me of a Dennis Potvin/Ray Bourque/Drew Doughty type. Hägg is a solid 2 way guy (I like him paired with Provorov) Morin and Gudas are very physical defensemen who can provide some offense. MacDonald is ok in a certain role. He can’t cover up for a weak partner but with a good defensive partner he is an adequate 6th or 7th defensemen and Manning is a very good 7th defensemen! Ghosts size wouldn’t be a factor as a winger and they could still use his offensive skills and I think while he is not good defensively as a defensemen I see him being very effective defensive forward where he doesn’t need to be in front of the Flyers net or below the goal line.

A defensemen primary job is to play defense and Ghost is the 8th best of the guys still in camp at that. It is like having a pitcher who is a great hitter and great fielder but has one pitch and it is an 80mph fastball with no movement. Watch how many plays Ghost hits someone and doesn’t even slow them down...he never kills penalties and he can’t be out there against any teams first line and most teams 2nd lines...if he is it is basically a power play in the defensive zone for the opposition.

By the way, a troll? A die hard flyers fan since the 1984 season when I was 6 years old. Hardly a Flyers hater!
- Flyersfan33

Oh please.

Can I just say I love Konecny. He looked liked he wanted to get into some fun last night.

Guy reminds me of Pat Verbeek
- J35Bacher

Ah yes. The Little Ball of Hate

Sure, but moving Giroux to LW instead of Filppula is a massive gamble so if it blows up in his face he won't have anywhere to hide. I'm sure Hextall is on board with it, but ultimately the coach is responsible for setting the lines.

Couturier-Voracek is already a proven combo for producing points and controlling the puck. You could put Filppula, or Konecny or Raffl or Weal on that line and that wouldn't change. But then you could have Giroux playing center. And healthy Giroux is a better all around center than Filppula.
- Feanor

I'm seeing some method to the madness here when I see Couturier/Patrick/Filppula/Laughton down the middle. Defense first with some decent size. His strategy on the wings will be whatever works with those guys down the middle and I think they are going with the 3 rookies on D. This could all change with one shot off an ankle but I'm good with this. It seems to be coming together.

Bill I would be interested to know since you follow the Flyers so close. If you were to make a decision on opening night roster, who is there and who is not?
- Buzzo

If up to me, final cuts would be Read and Manning, but I think both make the team and final cuts are Lindblom and one of the young D.

If up to me, final cuts would be Read and Manning, but I think both make the team and final cuts are Lindblom and one of the young D.
- bmeltzer

Dave Isaac seems to feel the same (though it sometimes sounds like he thinks Read still gets cut)

If up to me, final cuts would be Read and Manning, but I think both make the team and final cuts are Lindblom and one of the young D.
- bmeltzer

name him

name him
- Crimsoninja

Sanheim

all joking aside i feel like it's time to pull the trigger on Morin. Really hope he isn't the one sent down

all joking aside i feel like it's time to pull the trigger on Morin. Really hope he isn't the one sent down
- Crimsoninja

In my view, Morin is a stone cold mortal lock to make the team.

Sanheim

- MJL

i hope he makes it but if i had to choose one to send down it would be him solely because he's younger than the others and I think it would really damage their confidence at this point.


obviously that could work the other way if they are kept up before being ready and sent down later, but i guess thats the risk