i love Claude Giroux

that is all

Always reading on here comments criticizing Wayne Simmonds. I understand a lot of the reasons why some want to trade him. That has merit and that's not really what I'm talking about. The guy has played on the 3rd line without having a play maker with him and here he sits on pace for another 30 goal season.

i love Claude Giroux

that is all
- Mordecai

Now tied for 8th in scoring and is a +6..

Where are the Fraude comments from TN?

Always reading on here comments criticizing Wayne Simmonds. I understand a lot of the reasons why some want to trade him. That has merit and that's not really what I'm talking about. The guy has played on the 3rd line without having a play maker with him and here he sits on pace for another 30 goal season.
- MJL

It’s a case of fans desperately wanting to be right and in this case, a lot of fans on this board agree with each other and ride what they think are safe bets.

Simmonds was a beloved player on this board until mid way of last season when Patrick replaced Simmonds for two weeks on the Power Play. Now with the signing of JvR, anyone can do what Simmonds does. Forget what Simmonds career resume shows, which I’d be the best in the business in the paint. Anyone can tip pucks into the net or score off of rebounds. Forget that he’s keeping up with top six talent with lesser players to play with on the third line.

Claude Giroux shouldn’t be taken away from Sean Couturier and placed back at center, he collected 100 points last season and the two players are a match made in heaven. Forget that separating the two would create tougher match ups, Giroux is one of the best faceoff men in the league and fully recovered from an injured hip. Throw out the window that’s it’s a team sport and we should be in search for balance throughout the line up.

This is a good team and one player shouldn’t make or break it. We can win without Sean Couturier for a couple games. We don’t have to trade Simmonds to get better. Giroux doesn’t have to play one position to be effective.

Always reading on here comments criticizing Wayne Simmonds. I understand a lot of the reasons why some want to trade him. That has merit and that's not really what I'm talking about. The guy has played on the 3rd line without having a play maker with him and here he sits on pace for another 30 goal season.
- MJL

It's hard to evaluate some kinds of wingers when they aren't playing with the kind of center they need

It's hard, because an extension for Simmonds just might not look good on the back end

But to your point: If they had a center for him, he'd look different and more consistent

Obviously, we got a little heated about JVR earlier, but my overarching point is this: In the four full seasons he played in Toronto, no lockout or injury, he averaged 30 goals per season. In the lockout year and the year he was hurt, he was on pace for roughly 28-30 goals.

This guy isn't some clown or a bad player. He is a pure, offensive goal-scorer, who you literally paid $35 million to come to your team.

Yes, you do need to play him with good players. No, you should not play him on the third line with Jordan Weal as his center. You could play him on the third line in Toronto with Tyler Bozak and Mitch Marner. You cannot play him on the third line in Philadelphia with Jordan Weal and Wayne Simmonds.

That's not an insult to Simmonds or Scott Laughton, but JVR needs to play with more skill than they have. It's been proven that if you play the guy with skilled players, HE WILL SCORE.

I'm not saying I would play him with Giroux all the time -- I wouldn't. They might get crushed defensively.

But all that means is that until and unless Patrick is ready to be the centerman for a scoring winger of JVR's caliber, you need to find someone to center him -- because if you even give him one the caliber of TYLER EFFING BOZAK, he will score!
- AllInForFlyers

Bundy brought it up postgame about G and JvR defensively together. Same point they could get caved defensively in the long term but when faced with the current situation you almost have to chance it.

Bundy brought it up postgame about G and JvR defensively together. Same point they could get caved defensively in the long term but when faced with the current situation you almost have to chance it.
- dragonoffrost

Might have to do it -- bottom line, I've said this because I believe it: EVERYTHING should be on the table. Every single thing should be on the table to get the on-ice product turned around

Bundy brought it up postgame about G and JvR defensively together. Same point they could get caved defensively in the long term but when faced with the current situation you almost have to chance it.
- dragonoffrost

If there is a concern with Giroux getting caved in defensively then that's all the more reason to get he and Konecny away from Couturier IMO. Why leave defensive liabilities with your best defensive forward? Let everyone focus on what they do best.

Bundy brought it up postgame about G and JvR defensively together. Same point they could get caved defensively in the long term but when faced with the current situation you almost have to chance it.
- dragonoffrost

Here is what the Flyers need to be a better team. In essence they need to be able to attack more than they defend. Right now it's the opposite.

First of foremost, they need the young players, most notably Patrick and Sanheim to take steps forward.

They need to improve their center depth.

They need to improve their defense, most notably developing a defense pairing that can play regularly against top lines to free up Provorov and to a lesser extent Gostisbehere to play more often with the Giroux line in offensive situations.

Great Phantoms are going 11 forwards 7 D due to injuries

If there is a concern with Giroux getting caved in defensively then that's all the more reason to get he and Konecny away from Couturier IMO. Why leave defensive liabilities with your best defensive forward? Let everyone focus on what they do best.
- Baxter27

Couturier gives balance to the line.

Couturier gives balance to the line.
- MJL

What about the rest of the line up?

What about the rest of the line up?
- Baxter27

What about it?

Here is what the Flyers need to be a better team. In essence they need to be able to attack more than they defend. Right now it's the opposite.

First of foremost, they need the young players, most notably Patrick and Sanheim to take steps forward.

They need to improve their center depth.

They need to improve their defense, most notably developing a defense pairing that can play regularly against top lines to free up Provorov and to a lesser extent Gostisbehere to play more often with the Giroux line in offensive situations.
- MJL

Yep

They just might be a team that needs to outscore their weaknesses. I understand Patrick is only 20 and I'm not being impatient with him, it's more that until he's more experienced, they almost have to get another guy in the middle

What about it?
- MJL

While Couturier is bringing balance to the top scoring line the rest of the line up lacks offense and defensive support. On top of another viable top 9 C.

While Couturier is bringing balance to the top scoring line the rest of the line up lacks offense and defensive support. On top of another viable top 9 C.
- Baxter27

Yes it does. That's based on a number of reasons. So what should they do? Moving Couturier out of that spot means that he's no longer a 70 point #1 center.

What about the rest of the line up?
- Baxter27

I'm not saying we need an old school checking line. We have seen it happen with some combos this year getting caved and this board explodes. So don't be shocked if they get caved and this place goes bonkers.

Yes it does. That's based on a number of reasons. So what should they do? Moving Couturier out of that spot means that he's no longer a 70 point #1 center.
- MJL

I keep Giroux at Center. I dont care how many points Couturier scores. I care how many games the Flyers win. This team's weakness at Center is bigger than it is on the wing.

I keep Giroux at Center. I dont care how many points Couturier scores. I care how many games the Flyers win. This team's weakness at Center is bigger than it is on the wing.
- Baxter27

Big picture or small picture? I think it's reasonable to state that moving Giroux back to center could improve this team this season. For what though? The playoffs are a long shot. Putting Couturier back in a checking role is not the best way long term to build a cup contending team. My complete focus is on the future for this team. They aren't going to do anything this season.

I know a lot of you will disagree, but I don’t mind Weal in the line up for this current team. He’s a guy with a little more puck carrying skill on a team that has maybe too many dump and chase type forwards. I know his controlling the puck doesn’t often lead to goals, and he’s not really a solution for 3C, but as a bottom six winger I think he’s a decent option until he gets pushed out by a prospect.

Bunnaman brings the bears!

Big picture or small picture? I think it's reasonable to state that moving Giroux back to center could improve this team this season. For what though? The playoffs are a long shot. Putting Couturier back in a checking role is not the best way long term to build a cup contending team. My complete focus is on the future for this team. They aren't going to do anything this season.
- MJL

The GM just got fired because the upper management wants this group to push for a playoff spot this season. I agree with you about their chances this year, but we might see G back at center in the short term if the coaches feel he improves the team and their chance to get in the playoffs.

I also agree with you guys about playing JvR with G. If they go back to Couts centering G on LW, then JvR should get a try with Voracek and Patrick.

Big picture or small picture? I think it's reasonable to state that moving Giroux back to center could improve this team this season. For what though? The playoffs are a long shot. Putting Couturier back in a checking role is not the best way long term to build a cup contending team. My complete focus is on the future for this team. They aren't going to do anything this season.
- MJL

Hartnell-Briere-Leino
Gagne-Richards-Carter
JvR-Giroux-Asham
Powe-Betts-Laperriere
Carcillo

Which was our tried and true checking line? Not only do we need balance for offense, we need balance to go up against any line up. We need to be able to throw different looks. We need to be less of an easy team to match up against. If Couturier is the player we think he is, he should produce no matter who he faces off against. Crosby, Malkin And Staal could all do it and Staal was the Pens Couturier.

Big picture or small picture? I think it's reasonable to state that moving Giroux back to center could improve this team this season. For what though? The playoffs are a long shot. Putting Couturier back in a checking role is not the best way long term to build a cup contending team. My complete focus is on the future for this team. They aren't going to do anything this season.
- MJL

Separating Couturier from Giroux doesnt limit him to a checking role. Giving this team 3 lines will improve thier chances no matter when you feel they can contend.

If we are so set on JvR on the top two lines. Maybe
JvR-Coots-TK
G-Patrick-Jake
Lindblom-Laughts-Simmonds