If nothing else, it should help Luke's transition. Looking at Rich Sutter's career numbers, he seemed to put up better stats when Ron was a teammate than when they were apart
- Jsaquella

Yeah true but I just don't like saying something is fact without the proper statistical evidence to back it up. I know he wanted to play with his bro so I can't really see it hurting. Of course we'll never actually know if it hurts or helps his transition considering he'll only really do that once.

Definitely less of a spotlight on Schenn's game. Plus he's a big hitter which the fans will love. I try not to read into that whole "playing with your brother will make you better" idea. I'm haven't seen enough examples to see if there is any correlation.
- NickTheKid87

One thing I noticed with Schenn previously (we get a lot of Leafs games here) is that he was always looking for a big hit and would get out of position or cause an odd man rush. He needs to pick his spots better or this will be a mess. I think he will fix it with time.

Also, I read Bill's blog and if we have Grossman with Coburn as a shutdown that's great, but will Coburn be asked to step up offensively a bit? I remember when he first got here, he had a good shot from the point and had a bit of success on O. He hasn't been required to do that once Pronger arrived etc.. but we may need him now.

Yeah true but I just don't like saying something is fact without the proper statistical evidence to back it up. I know he wanted to play with his bro so I can't really see it hurting. Of course we'll never actually know if it hurts or helps his transition considering he'll only really do that once.
- NickTheKid87

Very true. I think if Schenn gets to play with Kimmo, that will help more than having his brother to hang out with in Olde City

I would be surprised if we don't make the playoffs. But i'm writing this year off and i'm looking forward to the trade deadline and the draft.

I have the Flyers chance of winning the cup with this roster at about .001%. Don't think they have the grit to beat a team like the Rangers, and i don't think they have enough talent to beat a team like NJ (when NJ is on top of their game).

I hope i'm wrong. Hell i pray i'm wrong. But i'm gonna enjoy the year and expect nothing from is team.

I think they feel Laughton is more ready for the role he'd be asked to assume. A lot of folks think Cousins projects as a winger at the NHL level.
- Jsaquella

makes sense.

So because the Flyers have dead weight like Walker among others that should preclude them from trying to add some depth and improve the team?
- PLindbergh31

They should definitely try and improve the team. But that is the whole point. Gustafsson is going to be able to play at some point. When he does, then the marginal at best 6/7 defenseman that you want them to sign will be just more dead weight on the Cap along with the other 2 6/7 defenseman we have, on top of walker. So what I want is the Flyers to be patient. Go with what they have, and save the Cap space for the right player. Not a mediocre stopgap.

Very true. I think if Schenn gets to play with Kimmo, that will help more than having his brother to hang out with in Olde City
- Jsaquella

The mentorship that he can provide to Schenn will be invaluable. I am quite sure he wasn't getting that from that idiot Phaneuf as part of the Leafs D corp who probably just talked about how he's dating Elisha Cuthbert.

One thing I noticed with Schenn previously (we get a lot of Leafs games here) is that he was always looking for a big hit and would get out of position or cause an odd man rush. He needs to pick his spots better or this will be a mess. I think he will fix it with time.

Also, I read Bill's blog and if we have Grossman with Coburn as a shutdown that's great, but will Coburn be asked to step up offensively a bit? I remember when he first got here, he had a good shot from the point and had a bit of success on O. He hasn't been required to do that once Pronger arrived etc.. but we may need him now.
- Hextall271

When we first got coburn he was a monster who projected to be a hell of an offensive dman. Now that he's worked on his d game, and i think he's pretty much capped in that department, i'd be happy to see him start playing on the offensive side again.

He's got a monster slap shot too.. just feel the Flyers don't use their point men enough.

Aaron Ward reports that the teams have been given the final schedule. Looks like the Flyers start with two NBC afternoon games. Home on 1-19 with the Pens at 3pm and then a quick turnaround as they travel to Buffalo for a 1230 game the next day

I think they feel Laughton is more ready for the role he'd be asked to assume. A lot of folks think Cousins projects as a winger at the NHL level.
- Jsaquella

I only issue I have is that I think there is a better option, currently, then having either on the big club. Obviously Cousins has his own of the ice issues but Laughton might benefit from more time in juniors.

However, I think the fear of "rushing" a player is somewhat unfounded. There's no way to prove a casual link between bringing a guy to the NHL early & it hurting his career development. It's easy to say "this guy sucks because he was rushed" but I feel that coaches and scouts for the most part know if a guy is ready or not and his failure can be mainly attributed to him simply not being good enough.

When we first got coburn he was a monster who projected to be a hell of an offensive dman. Now that he's worked on his d game, and i think he's pretty much capped in that department, i'd be happy to see him start playing on the offensive side again.

He's got a monster slap shot too.. just feel the Flyers don't use their point men enough.
- Flyersgod

Remember the one timers he unleashed on the PP from the off handed D spot? It was awesome.

The mentorship that he can provide to Schenn will be invaluable. I am quite sure he wasn't getting that from that idiot Phaneuf as part of the Leafs D corp who probably just talked about how he's dating Elisha Cuthbert.
- Hextall271

Considering there's reports that Phaneuf & Schenn didn't like one another, I'm sure that Timonen will be a better mentor.

Remember the one timers he unleashed on the PP from the off handed D spot? It was awesome.
- Hextall271

Vividly.

Coburn needs to become that complete dman he's capable of becoming. With Matt Carle out of the way, we should be able to see Coburn become something amazing.

I hope.

Considering there's reports that Phaneuf & Schenn didn't like one another, I'm sure that Timonen will be a better mentor.
- Jsaquella

If thats true i like Schenn even more now.

Can't stand Phonuff

I only issue I have is that I think there is a better option, currently, then having either on the big club. Obviously Cousins has his own of the ice issues but Laughton might benefit from more time in juniors.

However, I think the fear of "rushing" a player is somewhat unfounded. There's no way to prove a casual link between bringing a guy to the NHL early & it hurting his career development. It's easy to say "this guy sucks because he was rushed" but I feel that coaches and scouts for the most part know if a guy is ready or not and his failure can be mainly attributed to him simply not being good enough.
- NickTheKid87

I agree with you. Cobbling together what I have been told from guys who follwo the OHL, Laughton needs to get bigger & stronger to play the style he's best at in the NHL.

Another concern is, why burn off a year of Laughton's ELC on a 48 game cluster(frank)?

One thing I noticed with Schenn previously (we get a lot of Leafs games here) is that he was always looking for a big hit and would get out of position or cause an odd man rush. He needs to pick his spots better or this will be a mess. I think he will fix it with time.

Also, I read Bill's blog and if we have Grossman with Coburn as a shutdown that's great, but will Coburn be asked to step up offensively a bit? I remember when he first got here, he had a good shot from the point and had a bit of success on O. He hasn't been required to do that once Pronger arrived etc.. but we may need him now.
- Hextall271

Bill wrote about Coburn having to step up offensively last week and I agree. As for Schenn, it makes me nervous that he'll try to go for the big hit too often here because he knows the fans will just eat it up.

Goran Stubb ‏@goranstubb

Father & son will play in the same FIN-league game Saturday with Kalpa. Sami,39, a former NHL-player. Son, Kasperi, 16, a promising talent.

Sami Kapanen is the Finnish Gordie Howe

They should definitely try and improve the team. But that is the whole point. Gustafsson is going to be able to play at some point. When he does, then the marginal at best 6/7 defenseman that you want them to sign will be just more dead weight on the Cap along with the other 2 6/7 defenseman we have, on top of walker. So what I want is the Flyers to be patient. Go with what they have, and save the Cap space for the right player. Not a mediocre stopgap.
- MJL

I agree with that 100%, my issue is throwing away draft picks on mediocore stop gaps. Inviting guys to camp is what I would like them to take a look at doing.

I'm not so sure Gustafsson will be able to play anytime soon, counting on him being an option isn't very realistic. Time will tell.

This is the exact 3 lines I posted months ago and no one agreed with me.

I would prefer a scoring winger and see Voracek on the second line with Schenn and Briere, and Simmonds on the third line. We'll see.

I agree with that 100%, my issue is throwing away draft picks on mediocore stop gaps. Inviting guys to camp is what I would like them to take a look at doing.

I'm not so sure Gustafsson will be able to play anytime soon, counting on him being an option isn't very realistic. Time will tell.
- PLindbergh31

Well, a high ankle sprain can be a lingering issue, but it's not like an achillies, where it takes a year to get fully healthy.

It's a beautiful thing.

They should definitely try and improve the team. But that is the whole point. Gustafsson is going to be able to play at some point. When he does, then the marginal at best 6/7 defenseman that you want them to sign will be just more dead weight on the Cap along with the other 2 6/7 defenseman we have, on top of walker. So what I want is the Flyers to be patient. Go with what they have, and save the Cap space for the right player. Not a mediocre stopgap.
- MJL

Glad you have adopted the position I've taken since last summer.

Aaron Ward reports that the teams have been given the final schedule. Looks like the Flyers start with two NBC afternoon games. Home on 1-19 with the Pens at 3pm and then a quick turnaround as they travel to Buffalo for a 1230 game the next day
- Jsaquella

Looks like we know when Leighton's first game will be.

JVR came off an injury ravaged season last year. Between two concussions, a broken foot and didn't he also have an abdominal tear as well? I can't keep track of all the injuries.

I think his value was probably at an all time low when he was traded.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah the trade deadline phantom concussion.

Well, a high ankle sprain can be a lingering issue, but it's not like an achillies, where it takes a year to get fully healthy.
- Jsaquella

Yup I know all about achillies injuries unfortunately. I thought Bill had in his blog recently that Gustafsson was on crutches now. If that is the case he's a long way off from playing. High ankle sprains are sometimes worse than broken bones.