I follow the NFL draft pretty closely. Sam was projected as a 5th round pick then had an awful combine. He ran a slow 40 and lacks athleticism. His size is more of a 3-4 OLB, but he's not athletic enough to play that position. He's an undersized, situational pass rusher. There are tons of those in the draft.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, the Eagles took one in the first round. All defensive players are situational player now. When is the last time a guy played every down on defense?

now that i will definitely concede. the physical tools leave more to be desired. he SHOULD be that number one. he just hasnt put it together to that extent yet. doesnt mean he isnt a solid level guy though.
- stayinthefnnet

I think he's a top pairing guy when he's paired with another top pairing guy who can handle the puck.

If you put current Coburn with Timonen in his prime, they would be a strong top pair.

Agreed.

Also, I'd like Ollie to see some 4th line time at wing and possibly on the second PP unit.
- johndewar

Lets make an 'artnell - AMac 3rd pair just for poops and giggles.

a serious lack of wingers?
- -davies-

Meh, just convert all the centers to wing, problem solved.

Nevermind the -3.... The TOI indicates he's a first pair dman!
- PLindbergh31

I am greatly relieved that we have better defensive prospects. I know some people here really like him but I was never in love with him.

I think Carey Price has been the best goalie in the playoffs thus far. If he leads them to the Cup Finals, I think it's time we start mentioning his name when talking about the best goalie debate.
- PhillySportsGuy

price has really developed into a great goalie over the last 2 years. really calm game, rarely gives up a bad goal (as he was prone to do several years ago, especially in the playoffs), and he's lateral movement i think is underrated. he could very well lead them to a cup this year.

As much as we moan about it, the team has never had trouble scoring (with the exception of the first 15 games this year).

Giroux has put up more points than any other player in the NHL over the last 4 seasons. It would be great to get him a Corey Perry, but he doesn't seem to be hurting for one that badly. I think assets and money should be used in other areas first.
- PhillySportsGuy

i dont know if there is another winger in the game i would pick over corey perry to put on crosbys line.

As much as we moan about it, the team has never had trouble scoring (with the exception of the first 15 games this year).

Giroux has put up more points than any other player in the NHL over the last 4 seasons. It would be great to get him a Corey Perry, but he doesn't seem to be hurting for one that badly. I think assets and money should be used in other areas first.
- PhillySportsGuy

True. I think Voracek is becoming a true legit top line player. He's not really a sniper, but when you take in account his skating ability, his ability to pass the puck and score goals he's close to being the total package.

This franchise desperately needs that top pairing stud. 5 teams left right now. Is it a coincidence that Doughty, Keith, Subban, McDonagh, are among those left standing?

Yeah, the Eagles took one in the first round. All defensive players are situational player now. When is the last time a guy played every down on defense?
- mayorofangrytown

If Marcus Smith turns out to be a situational player in 3 years, it will be a failed draft pick.

Meh, just convert all the centers to wing, problem solved.
- Tomahawk

Its not that big a deal.

now that i will definitely concede. the physical tools leave more to be desired. he SHOULD be that number one. he just hasnt put it together to that extent yet. doesnt mean he isnt a solid level guy though.
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. I doubt he ever really puts it all together. I think he just lacks the hockey sense to do so. I've given up this happening, the rest of the fan base needs to do the same.

I think he's a top pairing guy when he's paired with another top pairing guy who can handle the puck.

If you put current Coburn with Timonen in his prime, they would be a strong top pair.
- PhillySportsGuy

i agree with that too. but to me, if he is heavily dependent upon a partner in that manner, it prevents him from being considered a true number one guy to me.

yeah, i realize number one and number two guys are both technically top pairings, and thats just semantics to a point, but oh well

I am greatly relieved that we have better defensive prospects. I know some people here really like him but I was never in love with him.
- FlyersGrace

Lauridsen isn't really a prospect imo. He might be a third pairing regular at best.

Morin, Ghost, Hagg, and Alt are prospect. Keep your fingers crossed that the Flyers hit on two of them.

its already serious, this trade would make it dire
- Marc D

agreed

i dont know if there is another winger in the game i would pick over corey perry to put on crosbys line.
- stayinthefnnet

Interesting debate. I'm not sure I'd choose him for G if I had the pick of ANY winger. I would have to think about it a bit though.

Meh, just convert all the centers to wing, problem solved.
- Tomahawk

yeah that always works out so well ... wheeeee !

Exactly. I doubt he ever really puts it all together. I think he just lacks the hockey sense to do so. I've given up this happening, the rest of the fan base needs to do the same.
- JFlyers00

yeah i agree. i think he is what he is at this point. but what i dont understand is how its always either one or the other. he either needs to be ryan suter or hes garbage.

hes a decent, well rounded guy capable of making really good contributions to a defensive core, all at what is honestly one of the more reasonable contracts in the league. no matter how much you press him for it, he likely wont give you more. but that doesnt erase what he in fact does give you.

yeah that always works out so well ... wheeeee !
- -davies-

If they could just convert all the centers to defensemen.... hmmmm

True. I think Voracek is becoming a true legit top line player. He's not really a sniper, but when you take in account his skating ability, his ability to pass the puck and score goals he's close to being the total package.

This franchise desperately needs that top pairing stud. 5 teams left right now. Is it a coincidence that Doughty, Keith, Subban, McDonagh, are among those left standing?
- PLindbergh31

Anaheim is the exception

all the teams advancing have at least 4 mobile reliable defenseman and are getting great goaltending

True. I think Voracek is becoming a true legit top line player. He's not really a sniper, but when you take in account his skating ability, his ability to pass the puck and score goals he's close to being the total package.

This franchise desperately needs that top pairing stud. 5 teams left right now. Is it a coincidence that Doughty, Keith, Subban, McDonagh, are among those left standing?
- PLindbergh31

Voracek showed me a lot in the post season and I agree with you. He has seemed to emerge as one of the team's leaders as well.

Voracek showed me a lot in the post season and I agree with you. He has seemed to emerge as one of the team's leaders as well.
- JFlyers00

voracek is a damn good player. him and G will go well together just because they are both very talented, but i still think in an ideal situation they would both be on separate lines to maximize their respective skill sets.

Lets make an 'artnell - AMac 3rd pair just for poops and giggles.
- MunsterMike

Scott Hartnell skating backwards regularly, playing d-man, would be high comedy.

hes a decent, well rounded guy capable of making really good contributions to a defensive core, all at what is honestly one of the more reasonable contracts in the league. no matter how much you press him for it, he likely wont give you more. but that doesnt erase what he in fact does give you.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree. Coburn is a player you need in your line up. Be realistic with your expectations and in evaluating his strengths and weaknesses. I like him. Could be the nose though.

True. I think Voracek is becoming a true legit top line player. He's not really a sniper, but when you take in account his skating ability, his ability to pass the puck and score goals he's close to being the total package.

This franchise desperately needs that top pairing stud. 5 teams left right now. Is it a coincidence that Doughty, Keith, Subban, McDonagh, are among those left standing?
- PLindbergh31

I love Voracek. I think he and Giroux are a little too similar to be on the same line. They both like to hold the puck and distribute. They're both reluctant to shoot.

In a perfect world, we'd have a top line RW to play with G and allow Voracek to carry his own line. I believe he's capable of being the trigger man on the 2nd PP unit too.

Interesting debate. I'm not sure I'd choose him for G if I had the pick of ANY winger. I would have to think about it a bit though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Who would you choose?