- Jsaquella

Well at least we're past a prone Lindros being photoshopped into it.

Sure, they could go that route, but I'm questioning if that was as good for Couturier as you make it sound.
- johndewar

Well, the issue with Couturier is that Laviolette took forever to give him a real opportunity in the top 9. The key is giving guys enough opportunity to play in different roles, rather than saddling them for two years with 4th liners.

What happened to Nutter?
- Giroux_Is_God

on voluntary hiatus

hopefully he will come back

If they finish "strong" they could add 7 or 8 pts and that may very well find them picking 13 to 15. The last two wins have taken them from 5th to 9th. Ideally I want them picking as high as possible but I'd feel much better if they were in the top 7. That gives you more options just by the nature of the pick. Also it's not so much of a stretch to move up or back a couple spots. You could move to 5 from 7 but that's a huge jump to 5 from 14.
- mayorofangrytown

Like you said, I don't want them to throw games or anything like that, but I see the difference between finishing strong versus the best possible draft pick the same as the difference between short-term and long-term goals.

Sure, there will likely be some good players available even if we pick around the 10 spot; but those same players and quite a few more will be available with the 5 pick.

What happened to Nutter?
- Giroux_Is_God

Probably running over pedestrians with his car.

Just getting an honest answer here. Would you guys rather finish strong, or get the better draft pick?
- ryman1566

Finish strong. They have a young team, and don't want to introduce a culture of losing. Let the young guys play and hope they play well to build on in the future.

Well, the issue with Couturier is that Laviolette took forever to give him a real opportunity in the top 9. The key is giving guys enough opportunity to play in different roles, rather than saddling them for two years with 4th liners.
- Jsaquella

I agree and could live with that.

When Giroux and Schenn were hurt last year, it was nice to have extra centers around, for sure.

Draft pick. Finishing strong counts for very little for next season, especially with all our injuries and some expected lineup changes.
- wolfhounds

I think finishing strong is very important for the development of this young team. And ending the Season with confidence canbe a spring board for next Season.

it is a difficult situation, they may not fully know about his health status by June.
- Marc D

They probably won't. But they should atleast have a prognosis and a game plan in place of how they're going to approach the off season.

If Laughton sticks with the Flyers going into next year (as many have speculated), the Flyers will, once again, have a logjam at center.
- johndewar

Good!

- Jsaquella

love that half of the 2nd row is injured

my head says draft pick,
my heart, finish strong

I'll be watching every game and I cannot root for them to lose

beating the NYRs is always great
I want to see them beat the Devils too
- Marc D

that is exactly how I feel. I want a top 6 pick but at the same time I want them to beat Montreal, Rangers, Devils, Boston.....teams I cannot stand. Just can't watch and not want to see them win.

that is exactly how I feel. I want a top 6 pick but at the same time I want them to beat Montreal, Rangers, Devils, Boston.....teams I cannot stand. Just can't watch and not want to see them win.
- nastyflyergirl

There's a big difference between what I'm rooting for each night and what I want the reality to be when the season is over.

I think finishing strong is very important for the development of this young team. And ending the Season with confidence canbe a spring board for next Season.
- MJL

Yup, I understand and appreciate that argument. But given the choice between a strong finish to a season where we're already all but eliminated from the playoffs or a higher draft pick in a deep talent pool, I take the pick.

My point of view is the pick does more in the long-term for this team. And part of my reasoning for that is all the injuries we're currently dealing with, the fact that all those guys, all those starters, would not be part of the strong finish, therefore - assuming this idea of carryover exists and endures the summer - would there be any carryover for them? And then we get into guys we don't resign, FA pick ups, call ups, draft picks, etc. No real carryover for them, either.

Too many question marks, for me, in the finish strong argument when compared to the easily recognized benefits of a higher draft pick.

Just my opinion, of course.

that is exactly how I feel. I want a top 6 pick but at the same time I want them to beat Montreal, Rangers, Devils, Boston.....teams I cannot stand. Just can't watch and not want to see them win.
- nastyflyergirl

And we play Eastern conference teams every night in this schedule.

If they had a trip out West, for example, I'd be fine with dropping some games.

But not against rivals.

I think finishing strong is very important for the development of this young team. And ending the Season with confidence canbe a spring board for next Season.
- MJL

Yep.....see eagles 2011-2012 season where they finished strong. Also the phillies finishing strong last year has really springboarded them

Yup, I understand and appreciate that argument. But given the choice between a strong finish to a season where we're already all but eliminated from the playoffs or a higher draft pick in a deep talent pool, I take the pick.

My point of view is the pick does more in the long-term for this team. And part of my reasoning for that is all the injuries we're currently dealing with, the fact that all those guys, all those starters, would not be part of the strong finish, therefore - assuming this idea of carryover exists and endures the summer - would there be any carryover for them? And then we get into guys we don't resign, FA pick ups, call ups, draft picks, etc. No real carryover for them, either.

Too many question marks, for me, in the finish strong argument when compared to the easily recognized benefits of a higher draft pick.

Just my opinion, of course.
- wolfhounds

If this were a more veteran group, I'd agree. I want the kids to not accept losing. Laying down and dying, like they were last week, can become a habit. I want the young guys on this team to be pissed at losing, not accepting it because they're banged up or whatever else.

Yep.....see eagles 2011-2012 season where they finished strong. Also the phillies finishing strong last year has really springboarded them
- Just5

Big difference between two veteran laden teams that underachieved and a team that has a lot of young guys playing for jobs and pride.

If this were a more veteran group, I'd agree. I want the kids to not accept losing. Laying down and dying, like they were last week, can become a habit. I want the young guys on this team to be pissed at losing, not accepting it because they're banged up or whatever else.
- Jsaquella

No doubt. I don't want any of that either. Even when part of me is saying losing is more beneficial, I never hope for a loss, or want a crap effort, or fail to get pumped at strong play, hits, and goals.

This type of situation is where the phrase a rock and a hard place was born.

Yup, I understand and appreciate that argument. But given the choice between a strong finish to a season where we're already all but eliminated from the playoffs or a higher draft pick in a deep talent pool, I take the pick.

My point of view is the pick does more in the long-term for this team. And part of my reasoning for that is all the injuries we're currently dealing with, the fact that all those guys, all those starters, would not be part of the strong finish, therefore - assuming this idea of carryover exists and endures the summer - would there be any carryover for them? And then we get into guys we don't resign, FA pick ups, call ups, draft picks, etc. No real carryover for them, either.

Too many question marks, for me, in the finish strong argument when compared to the easily recognized benefits of a higher draft pick.

Just my opinion, of course.
- wolfhounds

There isn't a question mark for the pick? It's a guarantee that the player they pick is going to pan out? The young players who are going to make up the core of this team, going forward are playing. I agree getting a higher pick could really help the team. And it's important. But having a positive tone set to end the Season, and finishing with some confidence. Rather then finishing out the Season and going out meekly, and letting that stew all Summer, is important in my opinion.
And really in the big picture, both are really important.

Big difference between two veteran laden teams that underachieved and a team that has a lot of young guys playing for jobs and pride.
- Jsaquella

Eagles are always one of the younger teams. If there's a coaching change these games mean next to nothing. Would rather have the pick.

Oh well. Maybe their more likely to draft a dman around pick 10

Yep.....see eagles 2011-2012 season where they finished strong. Also the phillies finishing strong last year has really springboarded them
- Just5

Go back and reread what I posted. I said, it CAN be a springboard. So let's look at the two teams you mentioned. One team, the Eagles, is a team that lacked talent. That is not the case with this Flyers team. And the Phillies team, is a veteran team that is on the downside. Which is also unlike this current Flyers team. But the way, the Phillies are in what, the 3rd week of a 162 game Season? You already have them pegged?

There isn't a question mark for the pick? It's a guarantee that the player they pick is going to pan out? The young players who are going to make up the core of this team, going forward are playing. I agree getting a higher pick could really help the team. And it's important. But having a positive tone set to end the Season, and finishing with some confidence. Rather then finishing out the Season and going out meekly, and letting that stew all Summer, is important in my opinion.
And really in the big picture, both are really important.
- MJL

Of course there's a question mark. And things that cannot be predicted. We touched on this yesterday. That being said, the ever-present question mark is reduced (by however much) with every notch up you move closer to #1.

And I don't disagree with you. But I listed my preference and reasons why. And luckily none of us have any say in the matter... Spectators are we.

No doubt. I don't want any of that either. Even when part of me is saying losing is more beneficial, I never hope for a loss, or want a crap effort, or fail to get pumped at strong play, hits, and goals.

This type of situation is where the phrase a rock and a hard place was born.
- wolfhounds

I agree. I think we want to see them win and play well. And I think that's important. But at this point as a fan, if they lose, the reaction isn't disapointment. It's were getting a higher pick.

Any word on the White hearing? It was 10am today, right?