I get the idea, but I have vivid memories of playing yo yo with Schenn early in his career moving him up and down the whole lineup playing every damn position. He sucked ass at center, and I really hoped they settled on him being a LW'er.

That bottom 6 is going to be a mess no matter what, just have to make due with that they have. Weise to me was supposed to be somewhat of a leader for those guys in the lower lines, waiting to see it.
- flyer_nutter

I agree, Schenn was jerked around too much in season's past. In my opinion, he's much better as a winger than at center.

Schenn actually looked quite good at Center when he had to fill in for Giroux last year. He wasn't bad in pre season either, especially on a line with Konecny. I would still prefer Cousins in that spot but Hakstol for whatever reason doesn't.

The only way to fully stabilize the bottom 6 is to make a trade or use Couturier as an anchor. I don't necessarily like him being pulled from the top 6 to do that but his game makes a lot more sense there than Schenn's.
- Baxter27

that is all semantics...Couturier, regardless of linemates, will still probably take on tougher matchups than Schenns line

Schenn actually looked quite good at Center when he had to fill in for Giroux last year. He wasn't bad in pre season either, especially on a line with Konecny. I would still prefer Cousins in that spot but Hakstol for whatever reason doesn't.

The only way to fully stabilize the bottom 6 is to make a trade or use Couturier as an anchor. I don't necessarily like him being pulled from the top 6 to do that but his game makes a lot more sense there than Schenn's.
- Baxter27

I want that top 6 intact. They are going to carry this team this season, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Just me, I suppose.

BSchenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Laughton-Bellemare-Luybimov

I dont buy the Matt Read hot streak.

I want that top 6 intact. They are going to carry this team this season, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Just me, I suppose.

BSchenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Laughton-Bellemare-Luybimov

I dont buy the Matt Read hot streak.
- flyer_nutter

To date, Read has been better than Weise, even if you discount offensive production.

Funny though, a guy like Gagner may have been useful this year for that 3rd line center spot.

I do think Cousins is okay there, but hasn't been as good this year. Was supposed to be Laughton's spot, but alas.

To date, Read has been better than Weise, even if you discount offensive production.
- jmatchett383

I think Read fades as the year goes on. Weise to me quite frankly needs to be a better, and slightly more offensive version of Lappy.

I want that top 6 intact. They are going to carry this team this season, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Just me, I suppose.

BSchenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Laughton-Bellemare-Luybimov

I dont buy the Matt Read hot streak.
- flyer_nutter

I prefer it that way as well, except Laughton in over Read.

My line up was fully contingent on Hakstol insisting to use Scehnn at Center. If that's the case, I'd prefer he be used in the top 6 instead of with line mates where he will be relied upon to drive more of the play. I'm not proposing for him to get more minutes than Couturier.

Laughton is the key here. The kid really would have done wonders for this team if he could have filled the 3rd line center role as I think was expected.

Laughton is the key here. The kid really would have done wonders for this team if he could have filled the 3rd line center role as I think was expected.
- flyer_nutter

He was drafted as one of the premier Shut Down Centers in his draft class. So yes, him struggling defensively caught me off guard. Maybe piling up points in junior actually hurt his development.

I think Read fades as the year goes on. Weise to me quite frankly needs to be a better, and slightly more offensive version of Lappy.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think Read will continue on his pace (40+ goals) but I don't think he'll disappear, either. 15-20 goals is a realistic possibility, I think.

Weise hasn't earned a darn thing. He was given a chance, and so far all he's managed to do is to get suspended (argue the merit/length at your leisure). But I don't think he'll be better overall than Lappy. Lappy was an "elite 4th liner" if there is such a thing. I don't think Weise can bring to the table what Lappy did, but I do think he has to provide more offense than Lappy.

I don't think Read will continue on his pace (40+ goals) but I don't think he'll disappear, either. 15-20 goals is a realistic possibility, I think.

Weise hasn't earned a darn thing. He was given a chance, and so far all he's managed to do is to get suspended (argue the merit/length at your leisure). But I don't think he'll be better overall than Lappy. Lappy was an "elite 4th liner" if there is such a thing. I don't think Weise can bring to the table what Lappy did, but I do think he has to provide more offense than Lappy.
- jmatchett383

If he cant do that, they overpaid like hell then imo. Weise needs to be much better than Ryan White, and so far I wouldn't even say that.

He was drafted as one of the premier Shut Down Centers in his draft class. So yes, him struggling defensively caught me off guard. Maybe piling up points in junior actually hurt his development.
- Baxter27

I dont know, I dont think he was overwhelmed by having to play big minutes. He was actually playing a very small role initially I think.

I haven't really seen any growth, and not the kind of jump you'd also expect for someone trying to earn their career. Its not like he's slow and you wouldn't notice.

The defensive game was supposed to be his strength, and so far that has been the weakness. Only thing the dude has is his shot quite frankly.

If moving Schenn to Center is the intended experiment to increase the effectiveness of the bottom 6 I would not be opposed to this.

Raffl-Giroux-Jake
Konecny-Schenn-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Weise
Bellemare-Cousins-Lyubimov
- Baxter27

I like the idea

I was about to post something about trying to aquire a 2C or 3C via trade or free agency and pending the quality move Couturier to 3C. But I wouldn't mind giving your proposed lines a try
.

I think he showed in the World Cup, what he's capable of. Ideally though, he's a 4th line player. There is just a lack of patience. We all know what areas the Flyers need to improve. It's a process. The endless complaining about Vandevelde, is ridiculous.
- MJL

Your comma use is not elite

Speaking of Laughton, he is an RFA next season I think. I'd prefer to keep him up, he needs to show something this year. He's going to be 23 in May.

Same with Leier. These guys need to get a shot to see if they are worth keeping.

If he cant do that, they overpaid like hell then imo. Weise needs to be much better than Ryan White, and so far I wouldn't even say that.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed on all accounts. I think a guy like Patrick Maroon could be a comparable from what I'd expect out of Weise, although Maroon has some extra weight. But a guy who can get in on the forecheck, cause a bit of mayhem, stir the pot, and put up 8 to 10 goals.

I like the idea

I was about to post something about trying to aquire a 2C or 3C via trade or free agency and pending the quality move Couturier to 3C. But I wouldn't mind giving your proposed lines a try
.
- Pelle31Forever

Burmistrov is the only guy I may have interest in at this point. Teams wont be giving up actual quality.

Speaking of youth.

Ghoulbourne (sp?) is 22. Is he deemed to be a AHL lifer?

Burmistrov is the only guy I may have interest in at this point. Teams wont be giving up actual quality.
- flyer_nutter

I don't get the Burmistrov love affair. He hasn't posted more than 10 goals since before he decided to bail on his team to go play on another continent, and it's not like he's 21-22 with room to grow. I think, if anything, Couturier is a more realistic 2C than he is. Were he a UFA, sure, why not. But I wouldn't give up assets (outside of AMac) for him.

Speaking of youth.

Ghoulbourne (sp?) is 22. Is he deemed to be a AHL lifer?
- flyer_nutter

He played as an overager, so he's a year behind. He would have to show some real leaps this year, though, or that tag comes into play.

Flyers UFA's after this season include:
VDV, Bellemare, Gordon, MDZ, Streit, Schultz

RFA's: Cousins, Ghost, Laughton, Leier, Luybimov, Stolarz, Straka, Goulbourne, and a few other small timers.

Thankfully some changes seem to be inbound.

I don't get the Burmistrov love affair. He hasn't posted more than 10 goals since before he decided to bail on his team to go play on another continent, and it's not like he's 21-22 with room to grow. I think, if anything, Couturier is a more realistic 2C than he is. Were he a UFA, sure, why not. But I wouldn't give up assets (outside of AMac) for him.
- jmatchett383

Nahh, for 3rd line C. The question being is he an upgrade over Cousins or Bellemare

Sean Couturier is just killing it in the underlying metrics, leading the team in just about everything, and by the eye he must have a few sure fire chances a game every single game. Same thing happened last year: good play, no scoring. Then, oddly enough, as the good play continued the scoring came. I'm not worried at all about him. They'll come soon and in bunches. Also, the second PP is bound to pick it up. But Mullen could help it out by swapping Konecny and Coots.

Flyers UFA's after this season include:
VDV, Bellemare, Gordon, MDZ, Streit, Schultz, Mason, Neuvirth

RFA's: Cousins, Ghost, Laughton, Leier, Luybimov, Stolarz, Straka, Goulbourne, and a few other small timers.

Thankfully some changes seem to be inbound.
- flyer_nutter

ftfy

ftfy
- YuenglingJagr

Ahh yes, the ever so exciting goaltending question. I am not sure if either guy is someone who will help the Flyers get to a cup but if its a choice between Mason/Neuvirth against some crazy overpayment for Bishop...