If laughton moves up in the lineup it’s usually to wing. He can hold down a 4C role. He’ll be just fine there. Boyle is 34 and had one year in his career where he outproduced laughton this past year
- Just5

None of this makes sense. So because Laughton can play third left wing, that means Laughton can hold down a fourth line center spot?

Brian Boyle is heads and shoulders a better center than Scott Laughton.

jeff carter......
- daryl stanley

its an idea, three years left on his deal. Could be workable depending on what they want in return.

its an idea, three years left on his deal. Could be workable depending on what they want in return.
- MBFlyerfan

Partial nmc and he has made multiple remarks that hes a father now and they are settled in California and wants to stay there.

its an idea, three years left on his deal. Could be workable depending on what they want in return.
- MBFlyerfan

i know he has had a couple injury riddled seasons and I honestly dont know how much he has left. It was said he played well last end of the season so maybe he was more healthy, IDK. Just a conversation piece.

carter and alex Martinez package?????

be foolish to wait for patrick and not address the center issue.
- daryl stanley

Why? Because you would rather female dog about the money you spent on a Kevin Hayes later?

None of this makes sense. So because Laughton can play third left wing, that means Laughton can hold down a fourth line center spot?

Brian Boyle is heads and shoulders a better center than Scott Laughton.
- SuperSchennBros

Brian Boyle is also 34 and I don't see this team competing in the next two years. Rather save an extra roster spot for someone to develop in.

In general I also think it's kind of useless to be trying to figure out 4th line roles this early in the off-season. Given everything that has gone on the Flyers are probably going to make some kind of splash this summer and we should see where that leaves us before penciling in the bottom six.

Brian Boyle right now is probably the better player than Laughton tho. If we were competing I'd probably be inclined to make that move.

So what are these grand intangibles that Trotz brought that made all the difference?

And why did those intangibles fail so hard against Carolina?
- Tomahawk

Not the point, and also it may not have been Trotz that caused the fail. Teams play harder defensively in the playoffs, perhaps the Islanders couldn’t score enough.

Brian Boyle is also 34 and I don't see this team competing in the next two years. Rather save an extra roster spot for someone to develop in.

In general I also think it's kind of useless to be trying to figure out 4th line roles this early in the off-season. Given everything that has gone on the Flyers are probably going to make some kind of splash this summer and we should see where that leaves us before penciling in the bottom six.
- hereticpride

Agree targeting a 4th line player seems silly. Target top 9 players and have people pushed down. Plus I really think farabee makes this team or comes up fairly close. Frost I see in season maybe not even for a full year.

Brian Boyle is also 34 and I don't see this team competing in the next two years. Rather save an extra roster spot for someone to develop in.

In general I also think it's kind of useless to be trying to figure out 4th line roles this early in the off-season. Given everything that has gone on the Flyers are probably going to make some kind of splash this summer and we should see where that leaves us before penciling in the bottom six.
- hereticpride

Who exactly are you expecting to develop in a bottom six center role?

You think it’s a waste useless to figure out the fourth line roles....even though we haven’t had an effective fourth line since Adam Hall centered it?

Oh boy. We haven’t done anything with the fourth line in along time, which is the problem.

Partial nmc and he has made multiple remarks that hes a father now and they are settled in California and wants to stay there.
- Tfaehner

He has also said he will retire because he isn't making much left on this deal, and no-one wants to deal with that cap recapture.

Who exactly are you expecting to develop in a bottom six center role?

You think it’s a waste useless to figure out the fourth line roles....even though we haven’t had an effective fourth line since Adam Hall centered it?

Oh boy. We haven’t done anything with the fourth line in along time, which is the problem.
- SuperSchennBros

I like Bunnaman.

Not the point, and also it may not have been Trotz that caused the fail. Teams play harder defensively in the playoffs, perhaps the Islanders couldn’t score enough.
- NC Flyers Fan

I don't think it was Trotz that cause the fail either. He wasn't a factor.

His team was just never that good to begin with, and they got exposed by a far superior opponent. And while Lehner played well, Mrazek pretty much matched him.

There's a difference between a coach really being the difference, and a team just over-performing over the course of a season. Trotz is a decent coach. Not a miracle-worker.

I like Bunnaman.
- NC Flyers Fan

I’m not asking anyone should agree with me that the Flyers should target Boyle but my mind is blown by anyone who thinks it’s “useless” to target bottom six role players.

I mean, it was so important to some of you to get a fourth line winger I. Michael Raffl re-signed before even exploring the market, now suddenly it’s useless. Especially coming off a fifth season in a role with little depth on this season and piss poor penalty killing. You mean to tell me this team couldn’t use leadership and a penalty kill specialist?

Oh, I know, let’s put all our hopes into Scott Laughton on the fourth line...again.

You guys are blowing my mind right now.

I don't think it was Trotz that cause the fail either. He wasn't a factor.

His team was just never that good to begin with, and they got exposed by a far superior opponent. And while Lehner played well, Mrazek pretty much matched him.

There's a difference between a coach really being the difference, and a team just over-performing over the course of a season. Trotz is a decent coach. Not a miracle-worker.
- Tomahawk

I would say that Trotz was one of many factors that caused them to overperform as a team. Yes, he got the most out of his lineup and stellar goaltending. No coach is truly a miracle worker. I didn’t expect them to beat the Canes. However, as coaches go, Trotz had a terrific year.

So what are these grand intangibles that Trotz brought that made all the difference?

And why did those intangibles fail so hard against Carolina?
- Tomahawk

Because as well as hockey, coaching is also a sport, and some times good coach loses to an opponent.

Point in hand 1980 Olympics. better team and better coach (on paper) lost.

I’m not asking anyone should agree with me that the Flyers should target Boyle but my mind is blown by anyone who thinks it’s “useless” to target bottom six role players.

I mean, it was so important to some of you to get a fourth line winger I. Michael Raffl re-signed before even exploring the market, now suddenly it’s useless. Especially coming off a fifth season in a role with little depth on this season and piss poor penalty killing. You mean to tell me this team couldn’t use leadership and a penalty kill specialist?

Oh, I know, let’s put all our hopes into Scott Laughton on the fourth line...again.

You guys are blowing my mind right now.
- SuperSchennBros

you guys? I saw one poster use the word useless.

I don't think it was Trotz that cause the fail either. He wasn't a factor.

His team was just never that good to begin with, and they got exposed by a far superior opponent. And while Lehner played well, Mrazek pretty much matched him.

There's a difference between a coach really being the difference, and a team just over-performing over the course of a season. Trotz is a decent coach. Not a miracle-worker.
- Tomahawk

None of the coaches are miracle workers. Hockey is a team sport from a front office to the trainers. Without sync between the components, winning will not happen.

As for the Trotz- I think he was simply out coached in this series. He had no antidote to Carolina relentless forechechecking and puck pursuit

I’m not asking anyone should agree with me that the Flyers should target Boyle but my mind is blown by anyone who thinks it’s “useless” to target bottom six role players.

I mean, it was so important to some of you to get a fourth line winger I. Michael Raffl re-signed before even exploring the market, now suddenly it’s useless. Especially coming off a fifth season in a role with little depth on this season and piss poor penalty killing. You mean to tell me this team couldn’t use leadership and a penalty kill specialist?

Oh, I know, let’s put all our hopes into Scott Laughton on the fourth line...again.

You guys are blowing my mind right now.
- SuperSchennBros

First off, I don’t think it is useless to target a 4th liner. As you pointed out, we did sign Raffl. I guess my thinking is that I don’t have 4th line center in my top 5 wish list spots to fill. Also, I think we have some prospect potential there, like Bunnaman. If they decide to upgrade there, I am good with it so long as the top of my wish list is filled too.

Who exactly are you expecting to develop in a bottom six center role?

You think it’s a waste useless to figure out the fourth line roles....even though we haven’t had an effective fourth line since Adam Hall centered it?

Oh boy. We haven’t done anything with the fourth line in along time, which is the problem.
- SuperSchennBros

If you had actually finished comprehending what I said it's a waste to figure out a fourth line role before a summer where more likely than not changes are coming to the roster. Say they sign Duchene(or trade for RNH or whatever 2C), you now have Coots Duchene(etc.), Patrick down the middle with Frost and Rubstov in the pipeline among other center prospects and you also have winger prospects on the way with limited NHL roster spots so saying moving those guys to the wing isn't that easy either.

If Boyle were younger, we were seriously competing or we didn't have prospects on the way I'd be behind adding him. But that just isn't reality right now. If we're leading the division at the deadline then it's a move I would gladly revisit. Right now isn't the time. We should have our sights on higher quality forwards until they are no longer available.

Bob was pretty good this series. They didnt lose because he imploded, Rask and the Bruins were better.

Bishop is another weird one.
- KINGKENZO

I meant Simmons lol

I’m not asking anyone should agree with me that the Flyers should target Boyle but my mind is blown by anyone who thinks it’s “useless” to target bottom six role players.

I mean, it was so important to some of you to get a fourth line winger I. Michael Raffl re-signed before even exploring the market, now suddenly it’s useless. Especially coming off a fifth season in a role with little depth on this season and piss poor penalty killing. You mean to tell me this team couldn’t use leadership and a penalty kill specialist?

Oh, I know, let’s put all our hopes into Scott Laughton on the fourth line...again.

You guys are blowing my mind right now.
- SuperSchennBros

Your mind is blown just about every other day which probably says more about you than the rest of us.

Again, you grabbed one part of a thought and are running with it like it's a complete viewpoint. Good Lord.

Because as well as hockey, coaching is also a sport, and some times good coach loses to an opponent.

Point in hand 1980 Olympics. better team and better coach (on paper) lost.
- missingmike

Hockey's more prone to bounces and luck than other sports. Coaches have far less control over what happens between puck drops. They all draw up plans, set up schemes and try to get the team to adhere to systems, but at the end of the day, a few bounces of the puck often determine who wins and who loses.

So yeah... effect of coaching is way, way, way overrated. There are a few super effective and a few super inept coaches that can consistently impact W/L. The rest are like Trotz... good enough to get the job done.

I meant Simmons lol
- Just5

As for the Trotz- I think he was simply out coached in this series. He had no antidote to Carolina relentless forechechecking and puck pursuit
- missingmike

Yeah, Carolina just owned the puck all series, especially late-game/OT.

They were one of the best possession teams under Bill Peters, and that continued under Brindy. Their team is purpose-built to own the puck -- their front-office has a strong analytics bent.

Hockey's more prone to bounces and luck than other sports. Coaches have far less control over what happens between puck drops. They all draw up plans, set up schemes and try to get the team to adhere to systems, but at the end of the day, a few bounces of the puck often determine who wins and who loses.

So yeah... effect of coaching is way, way, way overrated. There are a few super effective and a few super inept coaches that can consistently impact W/L. The rest are like Trotz... good enough to get the job done.
- Tomahawk

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the element of chance- but one can easily distinguish a well coached team from not (despite any luck with bounces).
Boston- CBJ last night was a game of bounces, but both coaches came prepared to the game and were even matched.