We have a "prospect pool" that is really a "prospect koy pond".
- johndewar

I would expect ths flyers to make a huge jump in the prospect rankings this year. I don't know if they come out pre or post draft

The LW we've been missing on the top line
- PhillySportsGuy

I'll take an outstanding third line PKer with offensive upside.

No, I don't think he's had a chance to show what he brings to the game. He busted it to make the roster out of camp and over played his game. He went to the AHL and had a dominate start to the season. They called him up and after a handful of games he was concussed.

Most fans haven't seen his full game yet.
- mayorofangrytown

I agree with ya on that. I personally liked everything I saw from him while he was up. He had good speed, played responsible d, had some really good moves (toe drags, etc.) to get around defenders in the offensive zone, I liked what he's had to offer. I'd like to see him play a full season or two, then really evaluate.

The LW we've been missing on the top line
- PhillySportsGuy

I hear you. But I'm thinking in terms of assets, roles, and timing. Lots of centers on the roster and getting close, and I still don't like any of them for 2C long term. If they got a guy like Barzal, I want a sniper on one side and Simmonds on the other.

If Laughton gets me Svechnikov, I can make due for 1-2 years for Barzal and Svechnikov to develop and not be any worse off by losing Laughton because you have Schenn and Cousins that could fill a similar role.
- TheGreat28

Why does everyone assume we are drafting a 2nd line center? Have we just penciled Couturier into a 3rd line defensive center? I think there is more to his game and once we get him a more skilled wing will see it.

I like having Laughton because he can pencil into the 3rd line defensive roll. B. Schenn and Cousins don't really do the same thing as Laughton. His skating is better then Cousins and his defensive play is better then both.

I think Cousins could fit into a 4th line roll with Bellemare and maybe White if resigned. He has some edge in his game and they would be able to take roll 4 lines a little more frequently.

I would expect ths flyers to make a huge jump in the prospect rankings this year. I don't know if they come out pre or post draft
- Just5

Maybe, I don't know.

Think about how bad this organization's depth would look if they didn't dig up guys like Matt Read, Mike Raffl, and Petey Bellemare. Yikes.

Martel may have more natural offensive skill than Leier but, right now at least, Leier is the likelier of the two to have an NHL career. We'll see what happens next year.

Lindblom is emerging as a pretty good NHL prospect. The real question is whether his upside will be more along the lines of a top nine, a 4th liner or a tweener. Even his skating (biggest knock on him) is improved.
- bmeltzer

Understood. I probably have a tendency to weight upside a little higher, so to me Martel with a chance to be a 1st or 2nd line winger but with a 60% chance to get there might slot higher than a Leier with an 80% probability of reaching the NHL in a 4th line capacity.

Also, there is a lot more competition for 3rd/4th line roles given what we have now, so I think someone like Martel could really make himself valuable if he can demonstrate a little defense and ability to play without the puck.

No, I don't think he's had a chance to show what he brings to the game. He busted it to make the roster out of camp and over played his game. He went to the AHL and had a dominate start to the season. They called him up and after a handful of games he was concussed.

Most fans haven't seen his full game yet.
- mayorofangrytown

I like Laughton. I'm not sure why people are so down on him. I see 50 point potential with strong two-way play. That's a good player IMHO!!!!!

I like Laughton. I'm not sure why people are so down on him. I see 50 point potential with strong two-way play. That's a good player IMHO!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

I would gladly accept that type of play from laughton. I hope they give him a legit shot next year.

Why does everyone assume we are drafting a 2nd line center? Have we just penciled Couturier into a 3rd line defensive center? I think there is more to his game and once we get him a more skilled wing will see it.

I like having Laughton because he can pencil into the 3rd line defensive roll. B. Schenn and Cousins don't really do the same thing as Laughton. His skating is better then Cousins and his defensive play is better then both.

I think Cousins could fit into a 4th line roll with Bellemare and maybe White if resigned. He has some edge in his game and they would be able to take roll 4 lines a little more frequently.
- J35Bacher

I still think this board is split on Couturier - with half thinking 2C, half thinking 3C and the other half waiting to see.

I want more production from 2C to take pressure of the 1st line. I want someone who is really going to get the most out of of a guy like Simmonds, or some of the other prospects we have. I want a shutdown 3C that can still chip in 15-20 goals and 45 points. Basically, three waves of attack. If we went G-Barzal-Couturier down the middle I'd be really thrilled.

I agree on Cousins. On this team he's likely a 4C guy, since there seems to be a reluctance to move him to wing. (I agree with that, btw).

But Cousins is a solid 3C on many teams. I'd listen to offers on him too.

I like Laughton. I'm not sure why people are so down on him. I see 50 point potential with strong two-way play. That's a good player IMHO!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

I think this is very, very optimistic. And is that in a 2nd line role or 3rd line role?

I like Laughton. I'm not sure why people are so down on him. I see 50 point potential with strong two-way play. That's a good player IMHO!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't dislike Laughton.....I just wonder if he's redundant with Couturier, PEB, and whoever else they consider a center prospect (even Cousins) in the fold.

What if this new coach comes along and decides that Brayden Schenn (if Hextall hadn't fired him out of a cannon already) is really center? Where would Laughton fit?

I would gladly accept that type of play from laughton. I hope they give him a legit shot next year.
- benjichronic

he played well before his concussion. He was never really given an opportunity to play with skilled players very often either.

he played well before his concussion. He was never really given an opportunity to play with skilled players very often either.
- PhillySportsGuy

He played well, and yet there wasn't much production to show for it. He played a bit with Simmonds, too, yeah?

I like Laughton. I'm not sure why people are so down on him. I see 50 point potential with strong two-way play. That's a good player IMHO!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

It has nothing to do with being down on him. We think he can get us back a first round pick in a very deep draft. Seems pretty valuable to me.

I think this is very, very optimistic. And is that in a 2nd line role or 3rd line role?
- TheGreat28

I see him getting Matt Read type minutes. Some PP, some PK and a decent amount of ES.

He's produced offense at a pretty good clip. He was used against top lines in Oshawa and rarely played with Dal Colle. He was basically a point per game player in the AHL before the concussion.

I don't see why 40-50 points is unreasonable.

I don't dislike Laughton.....I just wonder if he's redundant with Couturier, PEB, and whoever else they consider a center prospect (even Cousins) in the fold.

What if this new coach comes along and decides that Brayden Schenn (if Hextall hadn't fired him out of a cannon already) is really center? Where would Laughton fit?
- johndewar

This.

And agree with the second part as well.

As an aside, it really sucks that Crosby went to the worlds. Bumped Schenn out of the lineup. Would have liked him to get some experience and showcase himself a bit.

I don't dislike Laughton.....I just wonder if he's redundant with Couturier, PEB, and whoever else they consider a center prospect (even Cousins) in the fold.

What if this new coach comes along and decides that Brayden Schenn (if Hextall hadn't fired him out of a cannon already) is really center? Where would Laughton fit?
- johndewar

Try him at LW. not sure why that's such a big deal

I still think this board is split on Couturier - with half thinking 2C, half thinking 3C and the other half waiting to see.

I want more production from 2C to take pressure of the 1st line. I want someone who is really going to get the most out of of a guy like Simmonds, or some of the other prospects we have. I want a shutdown 3C that can still chip in 15-20 goals and 45 points. Basically, three waves of attack. If we went G-Barzal-Couturier down the middle I'd be really thrilled.

I agree on Cousins. On this team he's likely a 4C guy, since there seems to be a reluctance to move him to wing. (I agree with that, btw).

But Cousins is a solid 3C on many teams. I'd listen to offers on him too.
- TheGreat28

I get that. But I think they are getting a good amount out of Simmonds. He will also get his share of PP time.

Laughton and Simmonds actually played well together. I think a 3rd line of Laughton -Read and Simmonds could work well together.

Also I still have a feeling one of Read/Schenn/Simmonds are moved at the draft. So the roster will have to be tweeked if that happens.

This.

And agree with the second part as well.

As an aside, it really sucks that Crosby went to the worlds. Bumped Schenn out of the lineup. Would have liked him to get some experience and showcase himself a bit.
- TheGreat28

On the bright side, Brayden gets to see a beautiful city (Prague) with no on-ice pressure to perform well.

Try him at LW. not sure why that's such a big deal
- PhillySportsGuy

They could certainly use one of those.

I see him getting Matt Read type minutes. Some PP, some PK and a decent amount of ES.

He's produced offense at a pretty good clip. He was used against top lines in Oshawa and rarely played with Dal Colle. He was basically a point per game player in the AHL before the concussion.

I don't see why 40-50 points is unreasonable.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's generally a drop off between junior/ahl numbers and nhl for guys like Laughton. Skilled players can often keep up that scoring, but tweeners - guys with some skill but who usually score in the greasy areas or through sheer hard-work often drop off.

Also, here is a stark reality. We have a LOT of guys like that. Guys who need to work hard or get opportunistic goals. Something has to give, right? We all keep saying that we need more skill and speed in the lineup. So someone has to get bumped. Some SLOT has to get upgraded. It's not just LW.

I see him getting Matt Read type minutes. Some PP, some PK and a decent amount of ES.

He's produced offense at a pretty good clip. He was used against top lines in Oshawa and rarely played with Dal Colle. He was basically a point per game player in the AHL before the concussion.

I don't see why 40-50 points is unreasonable.
- PhillySportsGuy

How bout this... I see him being a mike fisher type player. All situations, plays good defense, gets pp time, chips in some even strength points, good for 40-50 points in a healthy season.

I don't dislike Laughton.....I just wonder if he's redundant with Couturier, PEB, and whoever else they consider a center prospect (even Cousins) in the fold.

What if this new coach comes along and decides that Brayden Schenn (if Hextall hadn't fired him out of a cannon already) is really center? Where would Laughton fit?
- johndewar

We were in the bottom 10 in goals scored. If he can generate offense at all we should be able to find a place for him.

It's like last year at camp when we barely made it into the playoffs and there were no jobs to be won... yeah, BS!

On the bright side, Brayden gets to see a beautiful city (Prague) with no on-ice pressure to perform well.
- johndewar

I love Prague. You are right - gorgeous. Lots of fond memories there. And some even better vague recollections