There is no doubt that he would help them in some areas and add an element to the team. But they have to get much better as a team defensively. Or a player like Yandle, unless he's light's out offensively. Will be added to the scapegoat list.
- MJL

Well we all know this team isnt going to get better defensively. We stated this same arguement last season but the coach isnt going to change his style. The Flyers either need to get the players he needs or get a new coach.

Schenn and Couturier haven't improved all that much this year if at all. I dont know if that falls on the coach but you have to start giving these two even more ice time at this point. This team is dead in the water as far as playoffs.
- stveshdy

I would be in favour of giving them more ice time, but a game or two to sit collect their heads and watch from the sidelines might not be a bad thing either.

Its easy to get sucked into an environment like the Flyers. Stepping back for a little bit might not be a terrible thing.

Kimmo has had more bad turnovers and penalties than Schenn this year, including two or three that led directly to penalty shots.
- Feanor

Kimmo has to do a lot more out there with schenn than with coburn.

With Snider popping Viagra from a Pez and hallucinating about a broad street parade can you really blame him though? Its really evident that Coots and Schenn need to play more though. If nothing else just to see how valuable they really are. I am up in the air regarding Brayden Schenn.

Im for replacing Lava but this organization doesnt really give coaches time for a rebuild. Its suprising to me they havent fired him during this break.
- flyer_nutter

All a new Coach would need is training Camp. I'm not at all surprised that Laviolette hasn't been fired.

I wold disagree that B Schenn hasn't improved. He's shown some real signs this year. It is not uncommon for young players their age, to regress and take some steps back. And to also go through scoring droughts, such as Schenn is. For most players, development is rarely linear.
- MJL

Schenn had a good stretch but for the most part of this season hes been below average IMO.

We just disagree.

I am scared of L schenn out there whenever kimmo goes away haha
- Just5

Why is that? He's shown that he's a solid player. Timonen is not carrying Luke Schenn.

Well we all know this team isnt going to get better defensively. We stated this same arguement last season but the coach isnt going to change his style. The Flyers either need to get the players he needs or get a new coach.
- stveshdy

Claude Noel has quietly done a pretty good (unexpected to me) job with the Jets as well this season. For large portions either Bogosian, Buff or Enstrom have been out of the lineup all season long.

They just really seem to have bought in playing as a cohesive group. Would love to see more of that from the Flyers. Maybe one of those team building trips?

Nurse has a night shot from the point.

Schenn and Couturier haven't improved all that much this year if at all. I dont know if that falls on the coach but you have to start giving these two even more ice time at this point. This team is dead in the water as far as playoffs.
- stveshdy

That's exactly my point. In the case of Schenn, he was putting up points and playing well....that died out around the same time Briere landed on his wing. Couturier is playing poorly, but part of that stems from being afraid to make a mistake-as soon as he does, he's on the bench or 4th line. Kids have to know they can make a mistake and not get buried for it.

The other issue is the normal non-linear progression of kids

Claude Noel has quietly done a pretty good (unexpected to me) job with the Jets as well this season. For large portions either Bogosian, Buff or Enstrom have been out of the lineup all season long.

They just really seem to have bought in playing as a cohesive group. Would love to see more of that from the Flyers. Maybe one of those team building trips?
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers have talent but as a team their a total mess defensively.

This team looks lost in their own end.

That's exactly my point. In the case of Schenn, he was putting up points and playing well....that died out around the same time Briere landed on his wing. Couturier is playing poorly, but part of that stems from being afraid to make a mistake-as soon as he does, he's on the bench or 4th line. Kids have to know they can make a mistake and not get buried for it.
- Jsaquella

At this point in the season it makes no sense to not give them the minutes so they can gain valuable experience and confidence for next year.

Schenn had a good stretch but for the most part of this season hes been below average IMO.

We just disagree.
- stveshdy

Brayden Schenn?

I've seen glimpses but honestly he hasn't lived up to that World Junior hype yet. Dont know what it is but he doesnt really stand out in an area to me. He could definately turn out to be a good player but its up in the air to me whether he will be a guy you expect to lead your team, or simply one of those secondary players.

He doesnt really excel in one area. Kind of expected more to be honest.

Brayden Schenn?

I've seen glimpses but honestly he hasn't lived up to that World Junior hype yet. Dont know what it is but he doesnt really stand out in an area to me. He could definately turn out to be a good player but its up in the air to me whether he will be a guy you expect to lead your team, or simply one of those secondary players.

He doesnt really excel in one area. Kind of expected more to be honest.
- flyer_nutter

Yup. Still a young player though.

Schenn had a good stretch but for the most part of this season hes been below average IMO.

We just disagree.
- stveshdy

Brayden Schenn has played 92 Regular Season NHL games. That is barely more then a Season. If you project his current scoring pace to a full 82 game Season. He would have 17 goals and 36 assists for 53 points. Not bad. And that's with the scoring slumps that he's had. Compare it to a player such as Jake Voracek, and what he's done in years 2, 3, and 4.

Forgot Clause Lemieux 's son (Brendan) plays for Barrie.

That's exactly my point. In the case of Schenn, he was putting up points and playing well....that died out around the same time Briere landed on his wing. Couturier is playing poorly, but part of that stems from being afraid to make a mistake-as soon as he does, he's on the bench or 4th line. Kids have to know they can make a mistake and not get buried for it.

The other issue is the normal non-linear progression of kids
- Jsaquella

Why have they not gone back to a line of Simmonds-schenn-read?

Brayden Schenn?

I've seen glimpses but honestly he hasn't lived up to that World Junior hype yet. Dont know what it is but he doesnt really stand out in an area to me. He could definately turn out to be a good player but its up in the air to me whether he will be a guy you expect to lead your team, or simply one of those secondary players.

He doesnt really excel in one area. Kind of expected more to be honest.
- flyer_nutter

This is from somebody preaching patience and development?

Brayden Schenn?

I've seen glimpses but honestly he hasn't lived up to that World Junior hype yet. Dont know what it is but he doesnt really stand out in an area to me. He could definately turn out to be a good player but its up in the air to me whether he will be a guy you expect to lead your team, or simply one of those secondary players.

He doesnt really excel in one area. Kind of expected more to be honest.
- flyer_nutter

What exactly were you expecting?

This is from somebody preaching patience and development?
- Jsaquella

Exactly!

Bill, I agree completely! This is a lost season. To spend valuable assets on a 9% chance of making the playoffs is a suckers bet! Following your logic, not only would I stand pat and not trade for rentals, I would ask both Timmonen and Briere to waive their no trade clauses and move them to a contender. I highly doubt both these players would object to a shot at winning a cup his year. Then, I would buyout Bryzgalov over the summer. With the cap decreasing next year, there would be somewhere around 17million in cap space available, and the returns of younger players and picks will also benefit this team moving forward. Next years prices for UFA's and RFA's should be reduced as well. This represents significant flexibility for Homer to replace these players with younger, less expensive, and more productive talent. While Timmonen is a terrific guy, and was once a preeminent D man, his injury prone body, age, and the fact that his speed has decreased significantly, leaves him vulnerable to speedier wingers. If you look at his penalty ratio per minute played, it has increased dramatically. He has to take hooking, holding and tripping penalties to compensate for his diminished skills. I really love the guy, but even he knows he has but one season left. As for Briere, he is somewhat the same, only in an offensive role. He's slowed down considerably, misses the net too often, and refuses to get into the "dirty" areas where he once was a magician. When it comes to Bryz, well, for all the talent he has, it is sporadic that his teammates have lost confidence that he will come up with the big save when things break down in front of him. His save percentage is fairly low for starting goalies, let alone 6mil a year net minders. I don't care that he is eccentric, most goalies are. My issue lies with the fact that he can't "steal" a game when the team doesn't play it's best hockey. These moves would either leave Homer the flexibility to acquire players capable of playing Lavy's uptempo system, or hire a head coach who employs a system better suited to the current talent on this team.

Your thoughts?
- Hokeeguy9

Personally,
I wouldn't be opposed to moving both Timonen and Briere for the right price. Timo is still a #2/3 D man and could help push a contender over the edge...he's signed through next season...just off the top of my head, I would need at least a 1st + a third rounder or mid level prospect. Or, one of a team's top prospects. It would hurt short term but could yield good longer term results and his cap money can buy some short term help... for Briere, I'd take a 2nd or even 3rd rounder.

Why have they not gone back to a line of Simmonds-schenn-read?
- Just5

Apparently they have Briere on the 4th line at today's practice, but Read was skating with Giroux and Voracek

Brayden Schenn has played 92 Regular Season NHL games. That is barely more then a Season. If you project his current scoring pace to a full 82 game Season. He would have 17 goals and 36 assists for 53 points. Not bad. And that's with the scoring slumps that he's had. Compare it to a player such as Jake Voracek, and what he's done in years 2, 3, and 4.
- MJL

Those are just projections. Young players could even slump more as the season goes on.

I'm not knocking him b/c hes a young player but im not impressed with him either. That could be b/c I expected more from all that I read on him.

Honestly, being ready to contend in a year or two is best case scenario. It's more realistic for it take a little longer. But some key moves made and accelerate the process. The lack of solid team play this year, has clouded the picture. And placed doubts about players. Success breeds success. And solid team structure can help players get out of funks. Such as Coburn. As the team struggles and frustration builds, players try to do more and more as an individual. That rarely works. And normally leads to worse results.
- MJL

i don't necessarily disagree with any of that. i'm not trying to say coburn sucks, or is overrated, or anything like that. he's absolutely a quality top-4 dman. and a new culture could really make a difference. i just think that they should take the more conservative approach and sell (certain assets) in order to strengthen their prospect pool

i definitely see your point though...you don't want to turn them into the blue jackets of the past 10 years. tough to develop a winning culture in that environment. i don't know if losing coburn puts you in that position, though

Why is that? He's shown that he's a solid player. Timonen is not carrying Luke Schenn.
- MJL

Luke schenn has work to do yet. I have more confidence in him than I did coming into this season

The Flyers have talent but as a team their a total mess defensively.

This team looks lost in their own end.
- stveshdy

Its team wide. Inconsistency from forwards, d-men and goaltending.

Lava's system works, but if they keep losing games I dont see him lasting.

Nikki Minaj looks like a tranny Michael Jackson. Whatever the hell that is.