Hexy was hinting that Read might be in the 1LW mix. G-Jake seem set in stone. Maybe...

L1: Umberger (or Read)/G/Jake
L2: Schenn/Coots/Read (or Umberger)
L3: Akeson/Vinny/Simmonds

Coots and Schenn had strong chemistry w/ the Phantoms, and L3 seems to have all the prerequisites for a sheltered scoring unit.
- Tomahawk

I hadn't considered this Schenn and Couts together.

Read/Giroux/Jake
Schenn/Couts/Simmonds
Raffl/Vinny/Umberger
PEB/Laughton/Rinaldo

I hadn't considered this Schenn and Couts together.

Read/Giroux/Jake
Schenn/Couts/Simmonds
Raffl/Vinny/Umberger
PEB/Laughton/Rinaldo
- ManCity

Looking at that makes me sad for the coming season.

Shuddup MOMMMM
- Giroux_Is_God

MDZ/Streit out there against Crosby, Tavares, OV and Stamkos?
- Tomahawk

Yeah, it's not ideal. I don't like the idea of Grossmann with Coburn either. That's the problem I have. Doing that, you almost certainly end up with Streit and MacDonald as a pair, and I'm far from sold that could be an effective pair, especially against a bigger line.

Either way it's a Catch-22. They might have to juggle the pairs anyhow, depending on matchups.

Yeah, it's not ideal. I don't like the idea of Grossmann with Coburn either. That's the problem I have. Doing that, you almost certainly end up with Streit and MacDonald as a pair, and I'm far from sold that could be an effective pair, especially against a bigger line.

Either way it's a Catch-22. They might have to juggle the pairs anyhow, depending on matchups.
- Jsaquella

The defense is catch 22, but Streit and MacDonald have played effectively together in NY. And if Coburn is going to be matched up against top lines, Grossmann is a good fit there. It's either Grossmann or MacDonald in that spot. Reality is that there are going to be questions about a pair, regardless of who is put together. That's the way it is when you really don't have a true top pairing or a true #1 defenseman.

Yeah, it's not ideal. I don't like the idea of Grossmann with Coburn either. That's the problem I have. Doing that, you almost certainly end up with Streit and MacDonald as a pair, and I'm far from sold that could be an effective pair, especially against a bigger line.

Either way it's a Catch-22. They might have to juggle the pairs anyhow, depending on matchups.
- Jsaquella

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...leap-shayne-gostisbehere/

Either way it's a Catch-22.
- Jsaquella

Man, is it ever.

One thing I have a feeling about... MDZ/Schenn could end up jelling and that duo could probably steal a lot of icetime from the others.

Man, is it ever.

One thing I have a feeling about... MDZ/Schenn could end up jelling and that duo could probably steal a lot of icetime from the others.


- Tomahawk

It's possible. Del Zotto was a 22 minute a night defenseman for a playoff team just a few years ago. Streit was supposedly weak defensively, but he did a very solid job in the second half of the season.

I'm not discounting anything, I'm just not sold that a Coburn- Grossmann pair is that much better than Streit-Coburn

I see what your saying but Vinny isn't our future. Building lines around Giroux and Couturier are. Yes we need Vinny to get going but as Berube said he might have to change his game a little. We talk about getting Courturier more involved offensively well then we should not take Read off his line. There is cheistry there. I feel like the Couturier line could do what Bergeron does for Boston in a way. Play very solid in there own zone but also contribute offensively.
- J35Bacher

I agree with what you say here, and at the same time, don't agree. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but I'll try and explain. The Flyers have a lot of very good players individually. But there are a lot of questions about how the pieces fit together. I absolutely agree that the Flyers have got to put Couturier in better situations, to help him improve his overall game, especially offensively. Because I firmly believe that some point, regardless of the talent a player has, how is used and the situations he plays in, can take over in forming what that player develops into. If Couturier is constantly being put in tough defensive matchups, and heavily on the side of D zone starts, then that's what he'll ultimately become. A checking line center. Instead of developing into the two way center that can also put up good point numbers. But in the Flyers situation, unless they drastically improve as a team defensively, the best chance the Flyers have to win, is to continually use Couturier in that defensive role. So how do they get out of that?
As far as Lecavalier, I agree, I don't want the team catering to him, instead of focusing on developing the younger player and putting them in the best situations. But if they want to maximize Lecavalier, he has to play at center and with the right players. That would help the Flyers win, and would also aid them if they want to trade Lecavalier at some point. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.
Same thing with the defense. Every player is a good defenseman. They have two defenseman who really should be sheltered, who should play with top scoring lines, in a lot of O and neutral zone starts, in Streit and Del Zotto. But unless they're paired together, which I don't think is a good idea, how are you going to do that?

There's a lot of good players on this team. But there are questions in how all the pieces fit together. Throughout the lineup.

It's possible. Del Zotto was a 22 minute a night defenseman for a playoff team just a few years ago. Streit was supposedly weak defensively, but he did a very solid job in the second half of the season.

I'm not discounting anything, I'm just not sold that a Coburn- Grossmann pair is that much better than Streit-Coburn
- Jsaquella

Depends on usage. Lot's of D zone starts and PK time, then Coburn-Grossmann is a better pair then Streit-Coburn is in those situations.
If it's the opposite, which is more neutral zone starts, and O zone starts on the ice with Giroux or a Lecavalier centered scoring line. Then Coburn-Streit would be a better pairing for those situations.

RIMOUSKI is playing a preseason game tonight. Anyone know of a stream I can catch or maybe Val D'or

RIMOUSKI is playing a preseason game tonight. Anyone know of a stream I can catch or maybe Val D'or
- mayorofangrytown

surprised rimouski is even playing Morin. IMO he needs a few more years of seasoning on a midget peewee bantam toddler team

surprised rimouski is even playing Morin. IMO he needs a few more years of seasoning on a midget peewee bantam toddler team
- Crimsoninja

they want to rush him too?

surprised rimouski is even playing Morin. IMO he needs a few more years of seasoning on a midget peewee bantam toddler team
- Crimsoninja

...and his corsi and fenwick numbers blow chunks.

Coatsey's corner.

Santa Coatsey.

Coatsey's corner.

Santa Coatsey.


- ggunky

Coatsey's corner.

Santa Coatsey.


- ggunky

finally someone else shows some god damn respect around here

surprised rimouski is even playing Morin. IMO he needs a few more years of seasoning on a midget peewee bantam toddler team
- Crimsoninja

- wilsonecho91

the change in 2 years is kind of astonishing

The Ryan White signing looking better and better.

The Ryan White signing looking better and better.
- SuperSchennBros

dammit holmer

The Ryan White signing looking better and better.
- SuperSchennBros

The timing sucks, but they've been signing 4th line/energy guys like they're going out of style. White, Blair Jones, VandeVelde, Powe, Hextall. Besides, if White's in the AHL his contract is small enough to come off the cap entirely

The Ryan White signing looking better and better.
- SuperSchennBros

It does have some unfortunate cap implications... they'll probably have to put Kimmo on LTIR before day 1 now, too.

The Ryan White signing looking better and better.
- SuperSchennBros

Why is that?

the change in 2 years is kind of astonishing
- -davies-

no doubt