Yeah, based on them being a bit farther along.

Reilly's got huge potential, but I'd be worried about how the Leafs handle his development. They really blew it w/ Luke, and you could say Gardiner's getting mishandled too.

Reinhart's still a bit of a project... too much boom/bust potential there, IMO.

Merrill's going to be a thorn in the Flyers' side for a looooong time -- Devils have all the luck when it comes to drafting franchise dmen.
- Tomahawk

Im a diehard Michigan fan... and I like Merrill, but I dont see him as a #1 d-man, let alone a franchise guy. He had one hell of a freshman year.. and he matured in other aspects along the way, but I just see him more as a bigger Paul Martin

Hypothetically, if the Flyers trade Couturier for a defenseman and buy-out Briere, who's the 3rd line center heading into the season?
- bradleyc4

The challenge with G/Schenn/Couts is having enough skilled wingers to really bring out their potential. I still have Schenn as a Center with more offensive upside to Couts.

Wingers - Vorachek, Hartsy, Simmonds, Read. I really like all of them individually, and each looks like they're 1st or 2nd line wingers. But I keep thinking the Flyers need one more forward of Vorachek or Giroux's potential, a sniper, and the lines shake out better. Having Jagr changed the entire dynamic of the offense last year - less pressure on top line, more distributed offense, etc.

Add to that Talbot and if they brought back Gagne. It's like the pieces are good, but not how they are fitting together.

I guess either Talbot or Laughton with say Simmonds and / or Read, and then acquire a forward.

Here is my thing with Couts.. I believe in his potential.. thought it was great that he fell to us. He had a rough year. No doubting that. But I still think he ends up being a very dynamic center. Jonathon Towes? No... but i think he could be right below him.. I honestly believe he could be a 60 point, Selke caliber two way center. Wait until he starts filling into his 6'4 frame.

If I was to trade him.. it would be for an established guy. Unfortunately, you will need to give more to get that guy... so I make a package deal and go big. Im a safe better... Im not putting my best mare on the line for a filly. Too much can go wrong.
- jak521

I'm actually projecting Couts in about the same range, and it's completely understandable taking the safe bet. I personally think that ceiling is not as valuable in the nhl today as an offensive dman. It's not the high-scoring 80's or clutch and grab 90's/early 2000's, so I think there is a premium on that type of dman.

I also don't think a multi-player package with 2nd/3rd tier prospects gets you a top young high-ceiling dman is all I'm saying.

For example, I really like Read, and have likely overvalued him myself. But I don't think Read + Laughton + a pick gets you any of the guys Tomahawk named. Just a guess. But it would have to be a St. Louis or other team with a surplus of young dman, and I still think the package starts with Schenn or Couts. Just saying.
And obviously it's just an opinion and we know what opinions are like....

Hypothetically, if the Flyers trade Couturier for a defenseman and buy-out Briere, who's the 3rd line center heading into the season?
- bradleyc4

Adam Hallf-elven

I'm actually projecting Couts in about the same range, and it's completely understandable taking the safe bet. I personally think that ceiling is not as valuable in the nhl today as an offensive dman. It's not the high-scoring 80's or clutch and grab 90's/early 2000's, so I think there is a premium on that type of dman.


- TheGreat28

I have the opposite view. The defnsive side of Hockey if far too undervalued. A Selke level Center that can also put up solid offensive numbers, is more valuable then an offensive defenseman. Now if you're talking about a 2 way defenseman who can also provide offense and QB the PP. That's a different story.
A player like Couturier, if he reaches his potential, is going to be a real weapon. A player that can match up against any line, any player, in any situation. That is a very valuable player.

I have the opposite view. The defnsive side of Hockey if far too undervalued. A Selke level Center that can also put up solid offensive numbers, is more valuable then an offensive defenseman. Now if you're talking about a 2 way defenseman who can also provide offense and QB the PP. That's a different story.
A player like Couturier, if he reaches his potential, is going to be a real weapon. A player that can match up against any line, any player, in any situation. That is a very valuable player.
- MJL

Jsaquella was banging this drum all (mini)season. If the Flyers focused on defense (and they eventually did), they would create more offense (and they eventually did).

I have the opposite view. The defnsive side of Hockey if far too undervalued. A Selke level Center that can also put up solid offensive numbers, is more valuable then an offensive defenseman. Now if you're talking about a 2 way defenseman who can also provide offense and QB the PP. That's a different story.
A player like Couturier, if he reaches his potential, is going to be a real weapon. A player that can match up against any line, any player, in any situation. That is a very valuable player.
- MJL

Yes, that's exactly what I'm advocating. I wouldn't trade Couts for an average, 3/4 type of dman.

I have the opposite view. The defnsive side of Hockey if far too undervalued. A Selke level Center that can also put up solid offensive numbers, is more valuable then an offensive defenseman. Now if you're talking about a 2 way defenseman who can also provide offense and QB the PP. That's a different story.
A player like Couturier, if he reaches his potential, is going to be a real weapon. A player that can match up against any line, any player, in any situation. That is a very valuable player.
- MJL

In addition to his point about the clutch and grab of the '80s and '90s, while I understand the point, the players have adapted to the changes in the game at this point. He is a player that has incredible defensive awareness, a long reach, and a quick stick, that has solid offensive upside if not higher, in the same division where two (or three or four) of the world's most dynamic hockey players reside... at the ripe age of 20. Pretty valuable in the long run. And valuable right now. And last year.

Hypothetically, if the Flyers trade Couturier for a defenseman and buy-out Briere, who's the 3rd line center heading into the season?
- bradleyc4

Probably Talbot, if he's fully recovered by then. Or they go get someone else. They could also decide to keep Hall, but I see him as more of a 4th line guy than 3rd line.