Yeah its all good. Imagine in 2 years when our top line is our cheapest line...
- FlyersSteve118

Coburn-Ehrhoff would be the same as Grossmann-Streit and about the same as Schenn-Mac.

http://thepensblog.com/2014-archives/shero-draft-piece.html

Pens fans love him as much as you do
- eayost

He's been the GM for a Cup winning team. Pretty nice to have on your resume.

i would like to see what Trotz could do for the Flyers. I like Berube and want to see him succeed (especially with a training camp), but Trotz always had a competitor when given very little.
- wilsonecho91

i could see that - at the same time, this town is a bit different than nashville. not so sure that long tenure was a good thing for him.

He hasn't played terribly, he's been hung out to dry. I don't think anyone will blame any player really. I don't know a single person that thought Minnesota had even a punchers chance in that series.
- PLindbergh31

bryz will still get blamed. he just will.

To clarify, you don't think MacDonald has an issue with gap control?
- bradleyc4

Overall, no, I don't think he has an issue with gap control. I think the team as a whole has an issue with gap control. Not always about the defenseman. That's the point.

He's been the GM for a Cup winning team. Pretty nice to have on your resume.
- PLindbergh31

To be fair, his job was made easier by inheriting the young players he did.

Thats a lot for Stralman. He'd be making almost as much as Girardi
- PhillySportsGuy

True but once UFA season starts, numbers tend to get crazy

Does Laughton project to be a better center based on performance in juniors? My knowledge is limited, but since he's known as being good defensively, I'd guess he would be better off staying as a center. So if they do indeed never go ahead and trade kids, and they have G, B Schenn, Couturier, and Laughton down the middle in the future… doesn't one of them have to switch to wing at some point? Why not just get B Schenn used to wing now and be done with it?

Overall, no, I don't think he has an issue with gap control. I think the team as a whole has an issue with gap control. Not always about the defenseman. That's the point.
- MJL

But we see constantly that players risk cross ice passes to penetrate the blue line on his side of ice because its an easier entrance....

Overall, no, I don't think he has an issue with gap control. I think the team as a whole has an issue with gap control. Not always about the defenseman. That's the point.
- MJL

But we see constantly that players risk cross ice passes to penetrate the blue line on his side of ice because its an easier entrance....

bryz will still get blamed. he just will.
- hammarby31

Perhaps. It's not like it was their plan to have him playing in the playoffs. All of their other goalies are injured. I wonder if they put in a call to Kari Takko to see if he was available tonight.

To be fair, his job was made easier by inheriting the young players he did.
- BulliesPhan87

But he was the guy up in the luxury box, so it was all his doing apparently.

But he was the guy up in the luxury box, so it was all his doing apparently.
- eayost

That popcorn wasn't going to eat itself. Sheesh.

To be fair, his job was made easier by inheriting the young players he did.
- BulliesPhan87

Certainly a fair point. And Holmgren inherited a poop platter left for him by Clarke.

But we see constantly that players risk cross ice passes to penetrate the blue line on his side of ice because its an easier entrance....
- FlyersSteve118

Those cross ice passes wouldn't be available if the Flyers as a team, had a more consistent neutral zone presence and gap control. Put MacDonald on the Boston Bruins. What do you think would happen with his zone entry stats? Go up, down, stay the same? It's a team game.

Would that be similar to the same diatribe over and over again, in terms of an opinion of Holmgren as a GM, and the moves he has made? Has that position been made well known, or is that okay to be repeated over and over?
- MJL

The key difference, of course, is that while voicing my opinions, I still leave room for others to have their own. You're not going to see me waiting in the weeds to bum rush every last person on here who thinks Homer's doing a great job.

I think his upside is a bigger Bard Marchand. That type of player is a very good player. It's not a guarantee he reaches that though.
- PhillySportsGuy

He and Gostisbehere are going to set the NHL on FIRE next season.



I might gloat a little.

Those cross ice passes wouldn't be available if the Flyers as a team, had a more consistent neutral zone presence and gap control. Put MacDonald on the Boston Bruins. What do you think would happen with his zone entry stats? Go up, down, stay the same? It's a team game.
- MJL

He'd be sitting in the press box.

He and Gostisbehere are going to set the NHL on FIRE next season.



I might gloat a little.

- mayorofangrytown

Im not saying I dont like Laughton. I just think this team desperately needs two-way defenseman.

Certainly a fair point. And Holmgren inherited a poop platter left for him by Clarke.
- PLindbergh31

Shero's not without his lackluster moves, to boot. He just signed that boat anchor Rob Scuderi to a four year multi-million dollar contract, and has created a top heavy cap situation at the cost of forward depth. Lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth over his expenditures at the TDL last year too.

I'm not saying he's a bad GM, but he's no golden standard imo.

Does Laughton project to be a better center based on performance in juniors? My knowledge is limited, but since he's known as being good defensively, I'd guess he would be better off staying as a center. So if they do indeed never go ahead and trade kids, and they have G, B Schenn, Couturier, and Laughton down the middle in the future… doesn't one of them have to switch to wing at some point? Why not just get B Schenn used to wing now and be done with it?
- eayost

I'd say wait until Laughton gets here. He's adaptable. The kid can play all over the ice and was exceptional at it. Let's see what he can do at the NHL level. I'd think given what we've seen of Schenn and since I can't imagine anyone moving Couturier to wing Laughton may turn out to be one heck of a winger at the NHL level.

The key difference, of course, is that while voicing my opinions, I still leave room for others to have their own. You're not going to see me waiting in the weeds to bum rush every last person on here who thinks Homer's doing a great job.
- Tomahawk

It's only the key difference in your view. I disagree completely on your take on Holmgren as a GM, but you didn't see me comment or reply to the rhetoric. If I want to voice my opinion, on a subject, I have that right, thank you,

Now let's get back to hockey.

Those cross ice passes wouldn't be available if the Flyers as a team, had a more consistent neutral zone presence and gap control. Put MacDonald on the Boston Bruins. What do you think would happen with his zone entry stats? Go up, down, stay the same? It's a team game.
- MJL

They compare Mac's zone entry numbers with every other player on the Flyers. He is significantly worse than all of them.

Its a trend thats followed him all season with both teams. If he can sure up that part of his game, he can become a very good player because he's shown to be good in both the offensive and defensive zone. His neutral zone play just needs some work. He has a good stick and can skate pretty well. Theres no reason he can't get better in that area if he works on it.

I'd say wait until Laughton gets here. He's adaptable. The kid can play all over the ice and was exceptional at it. Let's see what he can do at the NHL level. I'd think given what we've seen of Schenn and since I can't imagine anyone moving Couturier to wing Laughton may turn out to ne one heck of a winger at the NHL level.
- mayorofangrytown

Laughton may be the guy that frees Couturier to get used in a more balanced way -- sharing the defensive load so to speak.

I'd say wait until Laughton gets here. He's adaptable. The kid can play all over the ice and was exceptional at it. Let's see what he can do at the NHL level. I'd think given what we've seen of Schenn and since I can't imagine anyone moving Couturier to wing Laughton may turn out to ne one heck of a winger at the NHL level.
- mayorofangrytown

That's fair, and if he's more adaptable than so be it. Not like wingers can't be known for good defense either (i.e. Hossa) even though centers are more often in the conversation