I just dont see the overcooking thing..

Coots has been on this team since the first year he was eligible ..Yes he is a beast this year..yes some of that is playing with Giroux and recently TK but as much as it is Coots looks like a totally different player. They have tried playing Coots with other strong players before and prior to this season he never produced like this.
- opeth_pa

His statement about Couturier being overcooked is simply factually untrue. Couturier has been averaging 18 plus minutes a game for the last 4 seasons.

I just dont see the overcooking thing..

Coots has been on this team since the first year he was eligible ..Yes he is a beast this year..yes some of that is playing with Giroux and recently TK but as much as it is Coots looks like a totally different player. They have tried playing Coots with other strong players before and prior to this season he never produced like this.
- opeth_pa

It's a chicken/egg thing. Is he playing better because his talent finally caught up, or is it because he's playing with better players?

Maybe a bit of both. But I believe the main reason why he never produced like this was because he was never surrounded with players who could do as much to help take him to the next level - who could open the ice for him, who could get him the puck in good shooting positions, and who could finish plays he creates.

While he's been a darn good player 5x5 and has been a beast on D for years, he never had the opportunity to play with the first line for a sustained period.

I will always believe Roy coaching McKinnon in junior carried a lot of weight with the Avs. The next 2 choices made little sense at the time.
- ravishingone

I think the only ones that change their pick is the lightning

MacKinnon would still be a no brainer over Jones. Barkov was a surprise at the time but is a hell of a player in his own right. The real mis step was Tampa buying into the drouin hype. It was running wild at the time.
- Baxter27

I'm late

His statement about Couturier being overcooked is simply factually untrue. Couturier has been averaging 18 plus minutes a game for the last 4 seasons.
- MJL

That's me.

I'm dripping with false narratives and straw man arguments.

It's a chicken/egg thing. Is he playing better because his talent finally caught up, or is it because he's playing with better players?

Maybe a bit of both. But I believe the main reason why he never produced like this was because he was never surrounded with players who could do as much to help take him to the next level - who could open the ice for him, who could get him the puck in good shooting positions, and who could finish plays he creates.

While he's been a darn good player 5x5 and has been a beast on D for years, he never had the opportunity to play with the first line for a sustained period.
- 77rams

I agree with all of that. Circumstances forced the Flyers to use Couturier due to his strong checking in a roles and with linemates that were not the best for his offensive production. Even in that role he still produced 2nd line center production at 5 on 5 play. An argument could be made now that splitting up Couturier from Giroux and moving Giroux back to center could make the Flyers a deeper team even if it means a drop in production for Couturier. I favor keeping Giroux on the Wing because I think it is better for his longevity.

That's me.

I'm dripping with false narratives and straw man arguments.
- 77rams

It is now my new goal to use that above line in at least one meeting a week at work..

I don't know about a no brainer. Hes a number 1 dman who eats 26 mins a night. I know McKinnon is a stud 1 center, but to me it's not a no brainer.
- VladDrag

MacKinnon is one of best players in the league this year. Jones is a great Dman with supreme tools but he gets over rated in my opinion.

We win, are in playoff positioning, are making some noise and some are still so against rewarding this team for a playoff push. Crazy. Keep in mind, this is all being accomplished with a 10 game losing streak in the rear mirror. It’s funny, if that 10 game losing streak doesn’t happen or is even cut in half, I bet these same nerds don’t want to move a precious 3rd or 4th to bolster this team, even for lower line / pairing depth improvement.

I agree with all of that. Circumstances forced the Flyers to use Couturier due to his strong checking in a roles and with linemates that were not the best for his offensive production. Even in that role he still produced 2nd line center production at 5 on 5 play. An argument could be made now that splitting up Couturier from Giroux and moving Giroux back to center could make the Flyers a deeper team even if it means a drop in production for Couturier. I favor keeping Giroux on the Wing because I think it is better for his longevity.
- MJL

Well said. I also agree with all of this.

That's me.

I'm dripping with false narratives and straw man arguments.
- 77rams

Not this time in my opinion, just factually untrue. If anything the Flyers rushed Couturier and saddled him with heavy responsibilities for such a young player developing at the NHL level.

Not this time in my opinion, just factually untrue. If anything the Flyers rushed Couturier and saddled him with heavy responsibilities for such a young player developing at the NHL level.
- MJL

We can thank Malkin for stunting Coot's offensive growth

MacKinnon is one of best players in the league this year. Jones is a great Dman with supreme tools but he gets over rated in my opinion.
- Baxter27

McKinnon is injured right now, but was on pace for a 100 point season. As I said a stud 1C. If I had to chose between the two today, I choose McKinnon.

However, I do think that Jones will be a force between age 25-30. To me his potential is a 28min a night, PK/PP monster, and a perennial Norris Trophy candidate. I don't know if he gets there but he's got skills, sense, skating and size to do it.

Is it just me or does playing against the Jackets remind anyone of the Mighty Ducks playing Team Iceland? It's like they're all giants out there. They have to be the biggest team in the league. Their size, spacing, and stick movement creates a huge block in their defensive zone. It's pretty impressive. Our top lines speed and creativity were the only thing generating offense.

I thought Simmonds looked particularly slow and meandering all game, with the exception of the nice stick deflection. Cooter was everywhere last night. He and Neuvy were terrific last night. Starting to love me some TK as well.

It doesn't. Still need two NHL goalies you trust enough to play. Also, Neuvirth didn't suddenly become less injury-prone or less hot-and-cold. When he is on his game, he can steal games. When he's off, you hold your breath on every perimeter shot.
- bmeltzer

Sad but true

Is it just me or does playing against the Jackets remind anyone of the Mighty Ducks playing Team Iceland? It's like they're all giants out there. They have to be the biggest team in the league. Their size, spacing, and stick movement creates a huge block in their defensive zone. It's pretty impressive. Our top lines speed and creativity were the only thing generating offense.

I thought Simmonds looked particularly slow and meandering all game, with the exception of the nice stick deflection. Cooter was everywhere last night. He and Neuvy were terrific last night. Starting to love me some TK as well.
- Boyer83

Just for reference: https://theathletic.com/2...by-age-height-and-weight/

They are 22nd in height and 20th in weight.. That is per person, tho.

Is it just me or does playing against the Jackets remind anyone of the Mighty Ducks playing Team Iceland? It's like they're all giants out there. They have to be the biggest team in the league. Their size, spacing, and stick movement creates a huge block in their defensive zone. It's pretty impressive. Our top lines speed and creativity were the only thing generating offense.

I thought Simmonds looked particularly slow and meandering all game, with the exception of the nice stick deflection. Cooter was everywhere last night. He and Neuvy were terrific last night. Starting to love me some TK as well.
- Boyer83

That's more about what Tortorella has them doing than it is the relative size of that team.

I always feel like the Flyers more get pushed around by teams like LA and Anaheim, because they are both big and fast.

It's a chicken/egg thing. Is he playing better because his talent finally caught up, or is it because he's playing with better players?

Maybe a bit of both. But I believe the main reason why he never produced like this was because he was never surrounded with players who could do as much to help take him to the next level - who could open the ice for him, who could get him the puck in good shooting positions, and who could finish plays he creates.

While he's been a darn good player 5x5 and has been a beast on D for years, he never had the opportunity to play with the first line for a sustained period.
- 77rams

I don’t buy this. He played a lot with the greatest player to ever wear a Flyers sweater, Brayden Schenn.

I don’t buy this. He played a lot with the greatest player to ever wear a Flyers sweater, Brayden Schenn.
- Ftown19125

/REALLY hopes the bit about Schenn is sarcasm

Got some super bowl champs socks and my hoodies is en route what a (frank)ing time to be alive boys

/REALLY hopes the bit about Schenn is sarcasm
- johndewar

Dude, you realize that its been over 40 years since a Flyers team has won a Stanley Cup without at least one Schenn brother in the lineup, right?

Dude, you realize that its been over 40 years since a Flyers team has won a Stanley Cup without at least one Schenn brother in the lineup, right?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Jebediah Schenn was amazing on the '31-'32 Philadelphia Ramblers.

Jebediah Schenn was amazing on the '31-'32 Philadelphia Ramblers.
- johndewar

True Story: Jebediah Schenn tripped over his own beard (it was that long!) in OT in the Cup Finals in '32 leading to a breakaway causing the Ramblers to lose Game 1.

Got some super bowl champs socks and my hoodies is en route what a (frank)ing time to be alive boys
- Giroux_Is_God

I bought NFC East champs stuff and now I'm unwilling to spend more to replace it