But Schultz wasn't just a fighter. He contributed in other ways. He had a 20 goal season as well.
- PLindbergh31

For some reason, whenever I hear/read this, I think of "Coming to America".
Oh, there they go. There they go. Everytime I start talkin' 'bout boxing a white man has to pull Rocky Marciano out of their ass. That's their one, that's their one. Rocky Marciano. Rocky Marciano.

Schultz was good. The role had to have taken a toll. Of the 3rd/4th line guys from the Cup years, I think he may have had the shortest career.

I like Tocchet, Brown, Laperiere(sic), and Kapanen.

You didn't stop at "I was in the shower" ?
- ob18

Ryan White isn't needed when Nick Cousins can stir the pot as good as he does. People seem to lose their minds around him. It's all about roster makeup. You need some sand paper but too much of it can make it tough to take the next step as a team.
- dragonoffrost

I would pay money for them to mic up Nick Cousins to hear what he says to piss people off. He seems to be good at it.

I would pay money for them to mic up Nick Cousins to hear what he says to piss people off. He seems to be good at it.
- johndewar

Ryan Rupert Agrees

I would pay money for them to mic up Nick Cousins to hear what he says to piss people off. He seems to be good at it.
- johndewar

That would be great. He is good at it and he always has that smirk on his face during any scuffle or confrontation which just pisses whoever off even more.

Ryan White isn't needed when Nick Cousins can stir the pot as good as he does. People seem to lose their minds around him. It's all about roster makeup. You need some sand paper but too much of it can make it tough to take the next step as a team.
- dragonoffrost

As crazy as this may sound, I'm not a big Cousins believer.

That would be great. He is good at it and he always has that smirk on his face during any scuffle or confrontation which just pisses whoever off even more.
- arichardson22

The smirk as he skates away as the other guy goes to the box is priceless.

Totally says "I got you sucker"

As crazy as this may sound, I'm not a big Cousins believer.
- roenick97

I see him as a 4th line center ideally. But even then I have some questions because he doesn't kill penalties and his lack of speed.

But right now I also think he has shown to be ahead of Laughton. Laughton might have more NHL skills but really needs to put them together in games.

Also moving forward there are prospects that could come in a push Cousins out of the roster. Guys like Bardreau, Abel-Kubal, Leier and now recent draftees could all push Cousins out of a spot since they can bring a little more as PK play and more speed and better two way play(something cousins has gotten better at)

Ryan Rupert Agrees


- jmatchett383

But that's the thing. You can have a "trapping" game that is still 4-3 if the goalies are poop. On the other hand, you could have a fast-paced, hard hitting game that is 2-1 where each team takes 40 shots due to spectacular goaltending. Which is more entertaining?
- jmatchett383

The problem is that none of us are the casual fan. Casual fan being the ones that would rather be watching football or UFC. In order for the sport to grow from a revenue standpoint it needs more people watching and talking about it. Like you mentioned I dont think just having goalies that suck is the answer to making the game more exciting, but there is a trend towards defensive positioning and keeping all plays to the outside and using angles to cut down dangerous scoring chances. Scoring and chances go down when this happens, but if goalies werent able to just sit back and play angles all day, then it would change things. I think if there are enough scoring chances the game is still exciting, but transitional hockey has always been more fun to watch. Just an increase in shooting percentage wont change anything. It will have to be a change in the way goals are scored (i.e. point shots that deflect twice or rebounds

Matt Read played almost an entire season with a high ankle sprain...#toughness

I see him as a 4th line center ideally. But even then I have some questions because he doesn't kill penalties and his lack of speed.

But right now I also think he has shown to be ahead of Laughton. Laughton might have more NHL skills but really needs to put them together in games.

Also moving forward there are prospects that could come in a push Cousins out of the roster. Guys like Bardreau, Abel-Kubal, Leier and now recent draftees could all push Cousins out of a spot since they can bring a little more as PK play and more speed and better two way play(something cousins has gotten better at)
- J35Bacher

Before Konecny was drafted, the best forward prospects we had to offer we Laughton and Cousins I agree that Cousins is coming along a lot nicer than Laughton. Also take into accoubt watching Gagne and Williams come in together. Carter and Richards but also by extension, Umberger who were all good at once. Than Couturier and Schenn.

In terms of comparing chatter with White to Cousins. White can back up every word because he'll fight anyone. JR is another example of being a big mouth but will fight, hit and score to back himself up. What makes Cousins so special? I'm just hoping his mouth and nothing to back himself up doesn't turn him into the next Sean Avery.

I see him as a 4th line center ideally. But even then I have some questions because he doesn't kill penalties and his lack of speed.

But right now I also think he has shown to be ahead of Laughton. Laughton might have more NHL skills but really needs to put them together in games.

Also moving forward there are prospects that could come in a push Cousins out of the roster. Guys like Bardreau, Abel-Kubal, Leier and now recent draftees could all push Cousins out of a spot since they can bring a little more as PK play and more speed and better two way play(something cousins has gotten better at)
- J35Bacher

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if both Laughton and Cousins were both gone before this team makes the next step into becoming a Cup contender. As you pointed out, there are a lot of guys with similar or better skill sets that will be knocking on the door over the next few years.

In terms of comparing chatter with White to Cousins. White can back up every word because he'll fight anyone. JR is another example of being a big mouth but will fight, hit and score to back himself up. What makes Cousins so special? I'm just hoping his mouth and nothing to back himself up doesn't turn him into the next Sean Avery.
- roenick97

Here's the thing in today's NHL you don't need to back up the chatter if the other guy is getting the penalty. Which is what Cousins is excelling at. He draws the penalty so well he doesn't need to fight. Take the power play and move on. I wouldn't be shocked if Cousins has to fight a few times this year cause the guy he pisses off won't totally bite. We'll see more as the season goes on but I'm thinking he's viewed as bringing what White brought sandpaper wise and a little more during even strength play. So then go get a guy like Weise who is a PP2 and Line 3 winger. Who can slide up lines at even strength if needed which White would never have done.

Low scoring hockey games are a lot like low scoring soccer games. When the game was more physical the low scoring games weren't so bad, since players had to make contact with other players.

Now, low scoring games are often like watching the NJD's play a trap and never throw a hit.

It's boring as dog poop.
- MikesPillBottle

The Devils don't play a trap any more and haven't in many, many years.

I'd think you would know that after they fore-checked your team to death in the 2012 playoffs.... None of those games were low scoring either... at least on our end. Since then there have unfortunately been some unexciting and low scoring games by a pretty awful NJ offense... but still, no trap.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if both Laughton and Cousins were both gone before this team makes the next step into becoming a Cup contender. As you pointed out, there are a lot of guys with similar or better skill sets that will be knocking on the door over the next few years.
- BiggE

And so would have White been gone at that time also. Save the bucks on White now go get a more rounded player and let Cousins fill the sandpaper role cheaper.

The Devils don't play a trap any more and haven't in many, many years.

I'd think you would know that after they fore-checked your team to death in the 2012 playoffs.... None of those games were low scoring either... at least on our end. Since then there have unfortunately been some unexciting and low scoring games by a pretty awful NJ offense... but still, no trap.
- Queenie_5_hole

The thing is the trap, left wing lock, whatever they call it now, is the most notorious reason for down scoring in the league. Almost as bad as Guy Boucher's 1-3-1 crap he played against the Flyers and Pronger sat back and dared the ref to blow the whistle and call him for delay of game.

As crazy as this may sound, I'm not a big Cousins believer.
- roenick97

I think Cousins excelled and got stronger the more he played down the stretch. I can see him stepping into a bigger role this season with the Flyers. His 2 way play and smarts away from the puck seemed to be well ahead of how everyone expected Laughton's defensive game to be.

Hey guys not all is bad. I mean we could have Tony Romo and he could be injured again

Also tragic playoff toughness awards has to include Patrick Thoresen. He literally lost a nut for the Philadelphia Flyers franchise.

Also tragic playoff toughness awards has to include Patrick Thoresen. He literally lost a nut for the Philadelphia Flyers franchise.
- Pixote Andolini

that's why we called him thunderballs

Also tragic playoff toughness awards has to include Patrick Thoresen. He literally lost a nut for the Philadelphia Flyers franchise.
- Pixote Andolini

Thank you, Thor, for your contribution.

Thank you, Thor, for your contribution.


- johndewar

I wouldn't be shocked to see Cousins in that position this season after someone pitchforks him. Of course after the penalty is called he'll get up skate to the bench laughing.

Hey guys not all is bad. I mean we could have Tony Romo and he could be injured again
- 2Real

Thank you, Thor, for your contribution.


- johndewar

And hopefully you have fully recovered!