I'm a glass half full guy. Going forward I feel better than i did when Hextall first took over. But this is really about my assessment of the current team and my original point was, I don't feel like Couturier is a legitimate #2 center. I'm not saying he sucks either, but I'd prefer that position to have more goal output. Less than 20 on the season doesn't cut it for me.
- JoeRussomanno

I wonder where 20 goals would rank him among other so called 2nd line centers in the league?

Caps are a very good team, but perhaps they come in with a little less motivation. They've clinched the Presidents trophy, and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Maybe they don't bring their A game tonight. Flyers have been very competitive against the Caps this year.
- PLindbergh31

They do want to get Holtby the wins record, though, so I expect them to play strong if he's the starter tonight.

I wonder where 20 goals would rank him among other so called 2nd line centers in the league?
- MBFlyerfan

I have no idea but I'll guess somewhere in the top third.

They do want to get Holtby the wins record, though, so I expect them to play strong if he's the starter tonight.
- Scoob

He seems to play every game. I guess they aren't worried about burning him out for the playoffs.

I absolutely love this current team. They have so far exceeded my expectations and made hockey exciting for me.
- MBFlyerfan

Watching meaningful hockey >>>> Anticipating and guessing who we'll get in the draft.

I think a lot of the early season struggles were due to the team trying to adapt to a new coach and system. Say whatever you want to about Hak, but this team competes hard, has each other's back and, especially down the stretch, are playing with discipline.

Were they as bad as they looked in October/November? No. Are they really as good as they've looked recently? No. However, while still hampered by a lack of overall depth and a glaring lack of top pair D, they are well on their way to earning a playoff spot. In my book, that's pretty damned impressive.
- BiggE

Hak has been doing an unbelievable job. Never thought they'd get close to the playoffs. Remember the scratching carousels earlier in the year? This team now understands how they have to play and it's as a 5 man unit all over the ice. When they get knocked out it will only be Bc their simply not good enough. Not because there were too many mistakes or anything else like that.

Refreshing and the flyers have never had consistency like this as long as I've watched them

new brog prease

Speaking of the Hawks. How bout this disgrace from Duncan Keith last night.


- PLindbergh31

pitiful. i'd suspend him the rest of the year, including playoffs, no less than 20 total. carries over to next season otherwise.

can not allow players to do this without serious penalty.

Watching paint dry >>>> Anticipating and guessing who we'll get in the draft.

ftfy

I wonder where 20 goals would rank him among other so called 2nd line centers in the league?
- MBFlyerfan

He has 10 goals in 57 games which is a 15 goal pace. 26 assists which expanded is 38 assists.

His P/PG is at .63

That puts him with the Logan Coutures, Alex Galchenyuk's, and Derek Steppan's class.

Sounds like a second line center to me..

Watching meaningful hockey >>>> Anticipating and guessing who we'll get in the draft.
- johndewar

Making the playoffs, regardless of how long the run lasts is great. They were never going to be bad enough to pick in the top 3, so picking in the 8-12 range isn't really any different than picking 16.

pitiful. i'd suspend him the rest of the year, including playoffs, no less than 20 total. carries over to next season otherwise.

can not allow players to do this without serious penalty.
- hammarby31

I mean, they already set the precedent for him by suspending him only 1 game when he did it to Carter in the playoffs. Coyles nose looked busted to me. Not just cut, but broken as well.

So how high are our expectation to win tonight? Ww needed those Wings and Bruins lossesbut tall task tonight.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't see the Caps easing up on anyone just yet. They'll be a tough team tonight. I'd be happy with a point. A win would be fantastic, but tough. Hopefully Jake is on his game tonight.

I also think that Laughton should play tonight over Gagner and move Raffl on to the 2nd with Jake and Couts. Laughton's a hard worker and won't shy away from the strong forecheck we'll need tonight.

Making the playoffs, regardless of how long the run lasts is great. They were never going to be bad enough to pick in the top 3, so picking in the 8-12 range isn't really any different than picking 16.
- PLindbergh31

10 draft picks this year as well

pitiful. i'd suspend him the rest of the year, including playoffs, no less than 20 total. carries over to next season otherwise.

can not allow players to do this without serious penalty.
- hammarby31

I agree with you. Don't think the NHL will have the guts to do it. I say he gets suspended for the remainder of the regular season, and doesn't miss any playoff games. He could have taken Coyle's eye out with that bush league poop.

Not meant to be offensive, but I think you need to open your eyes, man. The shape of the franchise now is better than it has been at any point since Pronger was injured and I think there is even an argument to be made that it is better than before that. They had a great core, but it was unsustainable.
- YuenglingJagr

He doesn't believe in prospects. They are like unicorns to him. What is currently on the ice for the Flyers is all that matters. Every year is the year to go for it all.

I'm a glass half full guy. Going forward I feel better than i did when Hextall first took over. But this is really about my assessment of the current team and my original point was, I don't feel like Couturier is a legitimate #2 center. I'm not saying he sucks either, but I'd prefer that position to have more goal output. Less than 20 on the season doesn't cut it for me.
- JoeRussomanno

Who cares where the goals come from? There is no formula. If you're outscoring your opponent every night, then that is what really matters. If you have a center that the opponents top line hates to play against, he is a valuable player. Plus he is still good for 40-50 points. The Flyers could certainly use some more fire power in the coming years, but that doesn't mean it should come at the expense of Couturier at 2C.

10 draft picks this year as well
- jak521

Some later round gems would be amazing!

On paper, I'd expect them to lose.

Since the game is played just above the ice surface, though, I expect them to come out and play a strong game and get at least one point out of it.
- Scoob

It has been seen.

Making the playoffs, regardless of how long the run lasts is great. They were never going to be bad enough to pick in the top 3, so picking in the 8-12 range isn't really any different than picking 16.
- PLindbergh31

They are beyond where I thought they'd be and best of all, they haven't been boring.

They are beyond where I thought they'd be and best of all, they haven't been boring.
- johndewar

Yeah. At this point with 2 games in hand, it would be a tough pill to swallow if they don't make the playoffs.

Yeah. At this point with 2 games in hand, it would be a tough pill to swallow if they don't make the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

They have 2 games in hand, but a very tough and compressed schedule. Honestly, I think that, if the win the Detroit game, they will make the playoffs. But those games in hand don't mean squat if the other team is just better than you.

Yeah. At this point with 2 games in hand, it would be a tough pill to swallow if they don't make the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

True, but I wasn't expecting playoffs this year anyway.

I'll probably need to eat some crow, RE: Brayden Schenn. He has provided secondary scoring that they've needed. Couple that with the further growth of Couturier, the arrival of Ghost, and some of the things Hak has done, and they are in much better shape than this time last year.

Who cares where the goals come from? There is no formula. If you're outscoring your opponent every night, then that is what really matters. If you have a center that the opponents top line hates to play against, he is a valuable player. Plus he is still good for 40-50 points. The Flyers could certainly use some more fire power in the coming years, but that doesn't mean it should come at the expense of Couturier at 2C.
- steelydan

Also, Couts +9 has him in the upper echelon of centers. His total value is actually really high..

True, but I wasn't expecting playoffs this year anyway.

I'll probably need to eat some crow, RE: Brayden Schenn. He has provided secondary scoring that they've needed. Couple that with the further growth of Couturier, the arrival of Ghost, and some of the things Hak has done, and they are in much better shape than this time last year.
- johndewar

I miss Berube