Hi Bill,

I personally think Frost is a year away, but let's assume for a minute he does make the team. Everyone assumes you play him at 3C, but I believe the team would be better served going with the following:

G - Couturier - TK
JVR - Frost - JV
Lindblom - Patrick - Simmonds

Here is my rationale:

1. Frost is more of a setup man, which will pair nicely with JVR. Patrick will likely score more, which brings more balance to the lineup.

2. Though JVR and to a some extent, Voracek are not prototypical power forwards, they do bring size to the line which would help the slighter Frost.

3. While Frost is capable as a 200 ft. player, Patrick is stronger defensively overall, especially when paired with Lindblom. He also brings more size/strength to the 3rd line, which is important. Patrick is strong on FO which is especially important in a 3C. Consider he was north of 50% in year 1, whereas G didn't cross 50% until year 3 and Coots year 6).

4. Playing Frost with JVR allows you to shelter both players defensively, and you can give them more O zone starts.

5. Lindblom and Patrick had chemistry together by the end of the season, whereas Voracek seemed not to gel with Patrick as much.

I don't want to hinder Patrick's growth, and ultimately pairing him with a highly skilled forward like Farabee will even further balance the lines. But I think this would be a strong, balanced lineup should Frost surprise us all and make it difficult to send him down.

Thoughts?

Kawhy?


Actually I'm glad the Sixers dodged that mess. Maybe they can go after Jimmy Butler now.
- hereticpride

2019 class is far better. He'll bolt for LA after wasting a year in Toronto.

I'd target Butler like you suggested and Klay Thompson.

I’m not convinced of contending for a division title when we share a division with the last two Stanley Cup winners. Could we hang in there? Sure. Can we win the division? I doubt it because that would suggest we’re also contending for a Cup.
- SuperSchennBros

They missed the division lead by 7 points last year with the goaltending they got? Getting 2-3 wins more from Mrazek they are contending last year.

Hi Bill,

I personally think Frost is a year away, but let's assume for a minute he does make the team. Everyone assumes you play him at 3C, but I believe the team would be better served going with the following:

G - Couturier - TK
JVR - Frost - JV
Lindblom - Patrick - Simmonds

Here is my rationale:

1. Frost is more of a setup man, which will pair nicely with JVR. Patrick will likely score more, which brings more balance to the lineup.

2. Though JVR and to a some extent, Voracek are not prototypical power forwards, they do bring size to the line which would help the slighter Frost.

3. While Frost is capable as a 200 ft. player, Patrick is stronger defensively overall, especially when paired with Lindblom. He also brings more size/strength to the 3rd line, which is important. Patrick is strong on FO which is especially important in a 3C. Consider he was north of 50% in year 1, whereas G didn't cross 50% until year 3 and Coots year 6).

4. Playing Frost with JVR allows you to shelter both players defensively, and you can give them more O zone starts.

5. Lindblom and Patrick had chemistry together by the end of the season, whereas Voracek seemed not to gel with Patrick as much.

I don't want to hinder Patrick's growth, and ultimately pairing him with a highly skilled forward like Farabee will even further balance the lines. But I think this would be a strong, balanced lineup should Frost surprise us all and make it difficult to send him down.

Thoughts?
- TheGreat28

That's putting a lot of pressure on a 19-year-old. Not saying he can't handle it, but I'd rather him earn top-6 time as opposed to handing it to him.

You're welcome all. Note: I switched Allison and Ratcliffe in the pic by accident.

I even quickly ranked the honorable mentions on the left

I don't see the ice time rotation for the PP units changing much. Until a PP QB emerges for the second unit I think they'll continue to struggle.
- MJL

Provorov as that QB? Along with JvR or Simmonds in the net front place, Patrick in G's spot. I think it will improve.

I haven't seen him given any significant time with a competent PP unit during his first 2 NHL years where I feel confident to make a call either way.

Being on a less-than-stellar PP2 for the Flyers the past 2 seasons means that most of his PP shifts start off in the defensive zone after a clear by the PK team, and there is also usually 35-40 seconds left, meaning that there is really only one chance to set up on the PP before the time expires. I don't expect those last 2 points to change, but if he's playing with guys like JvR/Simmonds/Patrick as opposed to guys like Raffl/Weal/Filppula, you may see more success out of him.
- jmatchett383

I agree with all those factors but I've seen enough of his PP work to come to the conclusion that it is a skill he will have to develop rather than already being there.

That's putting a lot of pressure on a 19-year-old. Not saying he can't handle it, but I'd rather him earn top-6 time as opposed to handing it to him.
- jmatchett383

Fair point. Again, I think you can mitigate that somewhat by how/where/when you play him. Of course, you don't want to minimize the impact JVR or Jake can have on the lineup either, but let's assume that at least you will take a similar approach as Babcock with JVR.

The other angle is - maybe you can get more out of JVR by pairing him with a less experienced player and asking him to take on more responsibilities for the line, mentoring, etc.

Ultimately I'd play this as a line during the preseason and see if there is any natural chemistry.

Provorov as that QB? Along with JvR or Simmonds in the net front place, Patrick in G's spot. I think it will improve.
- dragonoffrost

I think there is a good chance that both JVR and Simmonds will be on the first unit. I think the 2nd unit can improve but not to the point where the first unit's PP ice time will be cut.

You're welcome all. Note: I switched Allison and Ratcliffe in the pic by accident.

I even quickly ranked the honorable mentions on the left


- YuenglingJagr

What is this

Fair point. Again, I think you can mitigate that somewhat by how/where/when you play him. Of course, you don't want to minimize the impact JVR or Jake can have on the lineup either, but let's assume that at least you will take a similar approach as Babcock with JVR.

The other angle is - maybe you can get more out of JVR by pairing him with a less experienced player and asking him to take on more responsibilities for the line, mentoring, etc.

Ultimately I'd play this as a line during the preseason and see if there is any natural chemistry.
- TheGreat28

That angle depends on JvR. In Philly, when he wanted to, he was damn near impossible to get off the puck. He could drive the net and create chances by himself. If he's on a line with a guy like Frost, he needs to be the guy who takes charge and not the guy who would coast around the perimeter.

I think there is a good chance that both JVR and Simmonds will be on the first unit. I think the 2nd unit can improve but not to the point where the first unit's PP ice time will be cut.
- MJL

I don't think it will be cut, at least not drastically. But there should be a fairly significant personnel upgrade on the second unit that should make it more likely to succeed.

Fair point. Again, I think you can mitigate that somewhat by how/where/when you play him. Of course, you don't want to minimize the impact JVR or Jake can have on the lineup either, but let's assume that at least you will take a similar approach as Babcock with JVR.

The other angle is - maybe you can get more out of JVR by pairing him with a less experienced player and asking him to take on more responsibilities for the line, mentoring, etc.

Ultimately I'd play this as a line during the preseason and see if there is any natural chemistry.
- TheGreat28

Unless Frost excels as a rookie, his potential ice time per game would not line up with what it would be for JVR and Voracek.

What is this
- bulet13

A complete list of people I have slept with since becoming sexually active

I think there is a good chance that both JVR and Simmonds will be on the first unit. I think the 2nd unit can improve but not to the point where the first unit's PP ice time will be cut.
- MJL

agreed a good chance Simmer gets his PP1 minutes back but it might be better to have him on the second unit.

Reasons

PP 2 could use his experience and confidence on unit 2
They are saying it will take Simmer some time to get his game back after surgery
I think Simmer is the kind of player who will take it as a challenge and excel
Patrick did well on PP1 last season
They now have JVR

A complete list of people I have slept with since becoming sexually active
- YuenglingJagr

And you list Brendan Warren only as an "honorable mention?"

agreed a good chance Simmer gets his PP1 minutes back but it might be better to have him on the second unit.

Reasons

PP 2 could use his experience and confidence on unit 2
They are saying it will take Simmer some time to get his game back after surgery
I think Simmer is the kind of player who will take it as a challenge and excel
Patrick did well on PP1 last season
They now have JVR
- wcorvette

If Simmonds is not completely up to speed to start the season then I can understand moving him to the 2nd unit. Otherwise, I see no reason not to play him on the first unit.

I actually want Jake playing the point opposite Ghost, similar to how Malkin is used on the Penguins' PP. But they seem to like him over by the circle.
- jmatchett383

Here’s the way I think the pp units shake out. I think Coots and Patrick will be playing monster minutes at ES and Coots may very well lead the teams forwards in SH TOI too. So, with that in mind:

PP1
Giroux
Voracek
Simmonds
JVR
Ghost

PP2
Konecny
Sanheim
Patrick
Coots
Provorov

A complete list of people I have slept with since becoming sexually active
- YuenglingJagr

That's a lot for a week, even for a go getter like yourself. Must be sore.

I think there is a good chance that both JVR and Simmonds will be on the first unit. I think the 2nd unit can improve but not to the point where the first unit's PP ice time will be cut.
- MJL

Then Coots would be the guy on PP2 still a better lineup than last year. JvR changes the PP units for the better. It's one thing I really want to see this coming season. I'm thinking instead of pretty much 1:30 and 0:30 we can see 1:15 and 0:45 ice time. It's not huge but it's a difference.

There isn't a single NHL defenseman last season who averaged close to 30 minutes a game. Doughty led at 26:50 per game.
- MJL

Well I’d be an awful coach and provorov would be dead by January

Cause I’d play him half the game

But they made that great trade during the draft where they crushed that young man's soul because they got the first round pick for 4 years from now because that guaranteed that they would get him.

I'm very confused right now.

At least we know The Process was a complete success since LeBron James allowed them to speak to him mere hours before he went to a terrible LA team.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, I still don't love that trade. Especially he way it went down. Brutal.

It has been a very underwhelming off-season for the Sixers. They really need to find a GM.

Well I’d be an awful coach and provorov would be dead by January

Cause I’d play him half the game
- Marc D

Well someone will have to replace Manning's minutes when we're protecting the lead late in the game.

Well I’d be an awful coach and provorov would be dead by January

Cause I’d play him half the game
- Marc D

Nah Ivan will just look at you and say No Problem

Well I’d be an awful coach and provorov would be dead by January

Cause I’d play him half the game
- Marc D

LOL
All kidding aside, I think he is among the league leaders this year and ends up right around the 26 minutes per game neighborhood