Yup. Between improved production from TK and full seasons of both Weal and Filppula, I have no worries about making up Schenn's 27 ES points. The powerplay will be interesting to say the least. With a new coach we may see a totally different type of set up than we did under Mullen so it's almost impossible to predict the units and how they will operate. I think the only sure bet is that Giroux, Simmonds and Ghost will be on the top unit, after that, it's anyone guess.
- BiggE

I personally feel the PP coach and the strategy used will play a bigger part than the absence of Schenn.

I personally feel the PP coach and the strategy used will play a bigger part than the absence of Schenn.
- Glak18

That's what I'm hoping as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Knoblauch comes up with.

If Patrick can be a legit 1C by the end of 18-19, and I think he can, they will be in great shape.
Going into the playoffs that season, their top 3 centers and ages will be:

Patrick 20
Giroux 31
Couturier 26
- BiggE

I wouldn't be surprised to see Patrick on Couturier's wing at times next year. I know Hak likes to have multiple centers out during key faceoffs, but having a shooter with size playing with Coots could be interesting.

Started off this past season with Konekny, Couturier ,Voracek was the best line. Ending it was Couturier, Schenn and Weise. His value may not show up in the stat sheet, but you can see it out there on the ice.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Patrick on Couturier's wing at times next year. I know Hak likes to have multiple centers out during key faceoffs, but having a shooter with size playing with Coots could be interesting.
- Glak18

Maybe, but I really think they want him playing center. He has a both the vision and defensive acumen to play center and his skill set fits the position well. I would go with:

Lindblom-G-Jake
Weal-Coots-Simmonds
Filppula-Patrick-TK
and I would sometimes spot Raffl for Filppula on Patrick's line when I want to add a little more grit.

The real issue is - what do the FLYERS need in order to be successful. I've always maintained that the club is best-served with Couturier as a 3rd line center. I don't want to limit him as a defensive specialist per se. He needs offensively-skilled wingers so the line overall can contribute significantly, particularly at even-strength.

The problem is that Giroux needs a second act. He needs a highly-skilled 2nd center that can help relieve the overall offensive burden from his line. He needs a complementary line so that he is not the sole focus of the opponent. Stop G's line and the PP and you pretty much will beat the Flyers. Since Briere left, he has not had that strong 2nd line.

Couturier will never be a guy that an opposing coach has to game-plan for. To me, the best thing about winning the lottery is that the team can finally get that strong 2nd line center so Couturier can slide into a more natural role. Think of it as having 2 second lines, albeit with one having a little bit more responsibility on defense.
- TheGreat28

I hope coaches continue not to game plan for Couturier and his line, especially as the Flyers become a better team. That will bode well for the Flyers moving forward.

Started off this past season with Konekny, Couturier ,Voracek was the best line. Ending it was Couturier, Schenn and Weise. His value may not show up in the stat sheet, but you can see it out there on the ice.
- Pelle31Forever

That's what I'm hoping as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Knoblauch comes up with.
- BiggE

something different for sure. Gotta be a better way to use G than the one timer that's been less and less effective.

PP2 will be interesting with young players on it

I agree with your point, which speaks to his defensive accumen. My comment was more regarding his offensive contributions.
- TheGreat28

It's interesting that with the exception of the smaller sample with Weal, goals happened for the Flyers most often when Couturier was on the ice among forwards at 5 on 5 play.

Maybe, but I really think they want him playing center. He has a both the vision and defensive acumen to play center and his skill set fits the position well. I would go with:

Lindblom-G-Jake
Weal-Coots-Simmonds
Filppula-Patrick-TK
and I would sometimes spot Raffl for Filppula on Patrick's line when I want to add a little more grit.
- BiggE

My god he is a center. Like you said his vision and sense are elite for an 18 yoa

I know we discuss getting Couturier help, but with the recent drafting of Rubistov and Patrick, any wingers in the prospect pool outside of Lindblom who have a legit shot at being NHL regulars?

Maybe if SOME head coach would stop screwing with the kid, as previous coaches have, and let him play on one line, with one set of wingers for at least HALF A YEAR, maybe the kid puts up more numbers. Flyers keep doing this with players it seems. They almost ruined Zubrus and their doing the same with Couturier IMO

in

Would like to see him flanked by weal and simmonds to start this year

Weal-couturier-simmonds
Lindblom-giroux-voracek
Raffl-Patrick-filpulla
Lehtera-Laughton-vecchione
- Just5

Did TK not make the team?

I know we discuss getting Couturier help, but with the recent drafting of Rubistov and Patrick, any wingers in the prospect pool outside of Lindblom who have a legit shot at being NHL regulars?
- Pelle31Forever

I'm not sure what happened to A-K(in that I just haven't heard much about him recently) but they've got Ratcliffe and then a bunch of guys who are natural Centers that are probably going to have to get used to playing the wing if they want a shot on this team any time soon.

If you look at the current roster I've got to think they feel like Jake, Simmonds and Konecny are in likely in their long term plans. They can fill a good portion of the other holes with some of these prospects listed as centers hopefully.

I would like to see them get a natural winger or two of note in next year's draft however.

It's interesting that with the exception of the smaller sample with Weal, goals happened for the Flyers most often when Couturier was on the ice among forwards at 5 on 5 play.
- MJL

"Started off this past season with Konekny, Couturier ,Voracek was the best line. Ending it was Couturier, Schenn and Weise. His value may not show up in the stat sheet, but you can see it out there on the ice."

I have loved this kid since his his first season when he came out of camp as the teams best defensive forward. EVERYONE he plays with has better play driving numbers and possession stats. Most also score at a higher rate. He bangs the net when the goals are scored no matter if he puts it home or not.

I LOVE to watch him play, all the little things he does so well. Sticks in the passing lanes, jumping plays, anticipation, most of all his play in the D zone. He is always on the puck. Saw a lot of that in Provy last year. I see the puck in the zone, Coots or Provy would be on it and out it goes.

If this kid EVER gets two competent wingers for a season we may see more offense. The deeper the teams skill gets the more everyone scores.

This team is going to be fun to watch this year.

Did TK not make the team?
- Konalover

Crap. Always someone. Imo he belongs on the third line but I don't see hak rolling out Patrick and tk together. I could be wrong

I know we discuss getting Couturier help, but with the recent drafting of Rubistov and Patrick, any wingers in the prospect pool outside of Lindblom who have a legit shot at being NHL regulars?
- Pelle31Forever

Allison
Frost could get moved to wing
Laberge could be a solid LW, if he can stay healthy
Ratcliffe

Those are the ones I see with top 6 potential. They have a bunch of guys who could also one day be bottom six types.

something different for sure. Gotta be a better way to use G than the one timer that's been less and less effective.

PP2 will be interesting with young players on it
- Just5

The PP is really the least thing to be concerned about. So many other issues that will be a much bigger factor in how the Flyers season goes.

Maybe if SOME head coach would stop screwing with the kid, as previous coaches have, and let him play on one line, with one set of wingers for at least HALF A YEAR, maybe the kid puts up more numbers. Flyers keep doing this with players it seems. They almost ruined Zubrus and their doing the same with Couturier IMO
- twpguy

I can only hope they can "ruin" Coots into a 20 year NHL career with 1300 games and 600 points like happened to Zubrus.

I do agree they need to give him good wingers to work with. The problem is they are just now starting to have enough skill to have three to four really good lines moving forward.

Top nine should be in no real ordered:
Lindblom-G-Jake
Weal-Coots-TK
Val-Patrick-Simmer
Top three remaining players that show they really want to play. Can differ from day to day.
When Rafl may not crack the fourth line, it means the skill level has really increased.

Personally I feel that Coots is a core part of this team but I do not feel he has performed to the level of a first line center.

My only issue to this point is that every season their seems be a lot of explanations or justifications for Coots not breaking 40 points and at this point he is in what his 6th season? Additionally I love him at ES but the game isnt just played at ES so people that pointed to Schenn only scoring on the PP should be complaining that Coots is primarily an ES player.

All the same, if those are the two worst things about him I will take that a million times over. I love having Giroux, Coots and the prospect of Patrick as our top 3 centers.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Couturier Still Capable of Higher Production
- bmeltzer

I hope so Bill for his sake.

I heard he had to get a colostomy bag.

This team sucks ass. Ptisonshjyolsndyykmeveyo!

Would like to see him flanked by weal and simmonds to start this year


- Just5

See your Weal and raise you a Konecny.

Good morning.
- BiggE

GM, how are you today?