Not sure how it's a waste of what he could be. Less responsibility defensively, allow him to play with Briere or Couturier as his center, frees him up to bang in the corners and in front of the net, don;t really see much downside to using Schenn as a winger.

He could also stay at center, with Laughton and/or Cousins being used as wingers. They still have a ton of options, and given the Flyers track record of drafting forwards in the late first round, I'm not going to complain that they had Laughton rated over Olli Maatta or the other defensemen available at that spot.
- Jsaquella

As a two way forward, why would we want Schenn to have less responsibility defensively? Datsyuk and Zetterberg have gotten a lot of recognition for being centers. Both of course can switch to the wing when called upon but normally each are viewed as center. Heck, both hauedve been nominated for the selke at the same time, on the same team. I would be over noted if Giroux and schenn were valued the same way around the league.

The tendency is to view players just drafted through the prism of the current day lineup, but we all know that the Flyers have pretty high turnover of personnel. While it may be that they have a glut of centermen today, that depth was born mostly from the Richards/Carter trades, so the picture is liable to change drastically by the time Laughton is ready to crack the lineup.

I'd hope that Laughton could develop into a Brodziak or Chris Kelly type of player... competitive, steady and versatile, able to move up and down the lineup, shift to the wing with ease, and take the burden of tough defensive assignments off the team's top players.
- Tomahawk

Is it really a burdon for Giroux to be an all situation player? In the playoffs, I saw a young stud who thrived in being that type of player. He wants to be the Captain. He wants to be on the same ice as Crosby.

Admittedly I was captivated by the playoff run, partly because it was so unexpected and partly because it was sort of a comeback moment for him in a few different ways.

But the thing I liked best about Primeau (and what I think the team missed greatly when he left) was the attitude you describe above and in prior posts. The guy who knew he hadn't been getting it done, acknowledged his mistakes, rededicated himself to his new role, and really set a team-first example for the rest of the team.

I think that kind of thing is rare in the NHL, and in pro sports in general. And I found it pretty impressive. On the other hand, I can totally see MOAT's point of view that his entire body of work does not really justify the reverence in which many Flyer fans seem to hold Primeau. Can't really ague that based on his stats.

I would have loved for him to be able to continue his career and play at least a few more years in his new role. Had he been able to do so, I think he would have changed a few more fans opinions of him, and made the trade work out a little more evenly.
- BringBack25

spot on imo

How do you know that? Why can't Schenn reach his potential as a Wi nger rather then a Center? The League is full of players who were Centers that became very good Wingers. Simon Gagne came up as a Center.
- MJL

So you're telling me you have never followed a young player and knew he would most likely succeed at a certain position over another? Or in some cases knew whether or not a certain player would meet expectations and called it for all to hear? Then said later I was right? I'm calling where I feel Schenn is likely to be best suited after following him for some time. Centers normally get the most responsibility and attention. I want that for Schenn. Malkin, Stamkos, Giroux and Spezza are all centers and the top four in points last season. T.he all time .best are normally centers. In my opinion, Brayden Schenn has a much higher upside then Simon Gagne.

Richard, I have a plan and in my blog I explain it a bit more:
http://www.oilogosphere.c...clarifcation-aug-14-2012/
Now what I am trying to say is we the fans boycott everything NHL until the lock-out is finished or until or voices are heard. That includes the advertisers, rexall group stores. Fortunatly that does not include the Oil Kings as they are amateur players and the Barons are semi Proffessional. This will give us fans a hockey fix that I would hope will sell out, but the NHL then see's we fans will move on if push comes to shove. I will be starting my personal boycott the day the Lock-out happens and I will be inviting everyone to join in this very same boy-cott to get our voices heard. Hopefully these very same advertisers will get some pressure and and put this very same pressure on the NHL and their teams.
- longbottom


Boycott all products advertised on NHL brodcasts. Make a point to have it on twitter and run up the numbers. If the league and the players think they are above the fans and that we will always come back, they may be correct, but if we avoid all products and merchandise sold or advertised. Those companies may lobby the networks, and the networks may actually put pressure on the NHL to keep the product running or force legal action, or suspend funds.

The NHL might believe in their fan base but corporations who buy the tickets for the major venues, advertise and partner up with their fan base might be a tad more skepticle in their bottom lines.

If Air Canada supports the league, make it a point to fly Westjet or Porter instead. If Esso advertises, only buy from the other fuel companies. Close your Scotiabank accounts. Set up the campaign on facebook, twitter and these blogs to show our resolve on one specific date. If they see a legitimate dent on that date, you can bet they'll be forced to play hockey.

Players have escrow cheques and owners will actually save money at the start of the season, so they don't have any reason to rush the negotiations. BUT if they risk a backlash from their revenue support for their future......

As a two way forward, why would we want Schenn to have less responsibility defensively?
- SuperSchennBros

I thought Schenn as a rookie still had a bit of work to do defensively at the NHL level. Now, that may not be fair in comparison to Couturier, who is already better defensively than many veteran NHL centers. But I thought Schenn benefited more from playing the left wing, at least as a rookie.

As a two way forward, why would we want Schenn to have less responsibility defensively? Datsyuk and Zetterberg have gotten a lot of recognition for being centers. Both of course can switch to the wing when called upon but normally each are viewed as center. Heck, both hauedve been nominated for the selke at the same time, on the same team. I would be over noted if Giroux and schenn were valued the same way around the league.
- SuperSchennBros

While of course it is still very early in his career, I don't see Schenn as being a Selke level forward. His strengths are his physical game and his offensive abilities. We'll see how he develops on the defensive side of the puck.

Is it really a burdon for Giroux to be an all situation player? In the playoffs, I saw a young stud who thrived in being that type of player. He wants to be the Captain. He wants to be on the same ice as Crosby.
- SuperSchennBros

I see it as a definite burden for Giroux having to play as much PK time as he has. I would like that to be lessened. And Giroux is at best an average defensive forward at ES. And most times is below average. That is one area of his game where he needs to improve.

So you're telling me you have never followed a young player and knew he would most likely succeed at a certain position over another? Or in some cases knew whether or not a certain player would meet expectations and called it for all to hear? Then said later I was right? I'm calling where I feel Schenn is likely to be best suited after following him for some time. Centers normally get the most responsibility and attention. I want that for Schenn. Malkin, Stamkos, Giroux and Spezza are all centers and the top four in points last season. T.he all time .best are normally centers. In my opinion, Brayden Schenn has a much higher upside then Simon Gagne.
- SuperSchennBros

It wasn't about Schenn having a higher upside then Gagne. It was about how a player can switch positions and thrive from what he played coming up. I like Schenn as both. His game is certainly suited for either spot. But he won't be held back playing on the Wing in my opinion.

As a two way forward, why would we want Schenn to have less responsibility defensively? Datsyuk and Zetterberg have gotten a lot of recognition for being centers. Both of course can switch to the wing when called upon but normally each are viewed as center. Heck, both hauedve been nominated for the selke at the same time, on the same team. I would be over noted if Giroux and schenn were valued the same way around the league.
- SuperSchennBros

Schenn was hardly a good defensive player in his rookie year. In fact, he had several glaring breakdowns that I can recall off the top of my head.

Comparing Schenn, or even Giroux, to Datsyuk & Zetterberg is not a good comparison in any way, shape or form.

Besides, as I stated earlier, keeping Schenn at wing is one option. Using Laughton and/or Cousins there is another option. Trading one out of the group is yet another option.

By the time Laughton and Cousins are ready for the NHL, the top 3 centers could be Giroux, Schenn & Couturier, and they may well be entrenched. It's a fluid situation.