What happens if Lecavalier moves to wing? Lecavalier, Laviolette and Holmgren have all mentioned that as a possibility
- Jsaquella

It's very hard to predict what will happen one or two years from now. If Couturier gets stronger and steps it up offensively, he could perhaps replace Hartnell on the top line by 14-15 or 15-16, leaving Vinnie to still center the 2nd line and by then Laughton to center the 3rd.

I could absolutely see a first line of Couturier-Giroux-Voracek by the 15-16 season.

Hahahaha... Delusional
- SMS4016

How so?

When you have ex-teammates saying he's a bad teammate, then it's not really making anything up. Derek Morris made very public comments about Bryzgalov being a bad teammate.

Certainly his play IS a factor, but it's not the only factor.
- Jsaquella

I agree. Either should have been enough to justify the buy out.

I like Scuderi, but that would have given them 4 defensemen that generate little or no offense: Coburn, Scuderi, Grossmann and Schenn. With Timonen most likely going into his final season, they needed to find someone to qb the powerplay which is what Streit does best. In a perfect world, Streit would have become a free agent one year later when Kimmo's cap hit would have been off the books, but it ain't a perfect world.
- BiggE

I know. I just feel like Streit is going to be someone the Flyers are constantly hiding. In a perfect world, they could have let Gus play on the 2nd PP then assume the top role in 2014-15. The world ain't perfect though.

Hahahaha... Delusional
- SMS4016

Would you go so far as to bet your account they won't make the playoffs? Perhaps a referee could facilitate such a wager.

Im not sure of that core can entirely stay intact. If Read plays on the 3rd line this year he'll almost definitely leave for the UFA market next year. Hartnell, as a power forward, is looking at 2 or 3 more years if he's lucky before he begins his decline. Lecavalier obviously will be facing his decline within the next few years. Hopefully the rise in play of Simmonds, Voracek, Schenn, and Coots can make those other negatives seem less so.
- JAKEw1234

Frankly I'd use this year as a little bit of a trail run.

If Brayden Schenn moves forward as a player I would probably keep him over Read. However if Schenn doesnt really show much improvement in his defensive game in particular, I would have no issues them trading him and keeping Read.

Read is one of the VERY FEW forwards on the team that actually knows something about playing defense. Would rather keep a guy like that at the end of the day.

It's very hard to predict what will happen one or two years from now. If Couturier gets stronger and steps it up offensively, he could perhaps replace Hartnell on the top line by 14-15 or 15-16, leaving Vinnie to still center the 2nd line and by then Laughton to center the 3rd.

I could absolutely see a first line of Couturier-Giroux-Voracek by the 15-16 season.
- BiggE

If Couturier develops into a very good two way center, it would be hard to move him to wing.

If he's better than Vinny, let him take Vinny's spot. Simple as that.

No, I understand hence my point that he had to be bought out.
- lar6767

I think your point was Bryz sucks and he's the root of all our problems.

I know. I just feel like Streit is going to be someone the Flyers are constantly hiding. In a perfect world, they could have let Gus play on the 2nd PP then assume the top role in 2014-15. The world ain't perfect though.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't know if Gus will ever be a guy who can anchor the 1st team pp. He moves the puck well and is a good passer, but he lacks the killer shot of Streit nor do think he as good a playmaker as Streit or Timonen. The play making could come with more experience, but I think his shot is what it is.

I think your point was Bryz sucks and he's the root of all our problems.
- JAKEw1234

I believe he was.

Hahahaha... Delusional
- SMS4016

How is that delusional? If they both break out, the Flyers will be 3 lines deep for offense.

If Couturier develops into a very good two way center, it would be hard to move him to wing.

If he's better than Vinny, let him take Vinny's spot. Simple as that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Perhaps, but good centers being moved to wing happens a lot. Sergei Federov was a phenomenal 2 way center, but the Wings often moved him to right wing so that they could play him with Yzerman. Putting Couturier on the wing of the top line could actually take some of the defensive pressure off of Giroux.

I know. I just feel like Streit is going to be someone the Flyers are constantly hiding. In a perfect world, they could have let Gus play on the 2nd PP then assume the top role in 2014-15. The world ain't perfect though.
- PhillySportsGuy

If we don't make a trade for that #1 guy I think Streit will QB our 1st unit in 2 years, and Gus our 2nd.

I don't know if Gus will ever be a guy who can anchor the 1st team pp. He moves the puck well and is a good passer, but he lacks the killer shot of Streit nor do think he as good a playmaker as Streit or Timonen. The play making could come with more experience, but I think his shot is what it is.
- BiggE

Only time will tell. I just hope the Vinny and Streit signings don't come back to haunt us.

I believe he was.
- lar6767

So Bryzgalov was at fault for the horrible transitional game? The really bad team defense? The forwards allowing the gap between them and the defense on the breakout to get to big was Bryzgalov's fault, as well?

Bryz was the one behind the decision to not tweak the gameplan despite not having Carle or Pronger? Bryzgalov prevented the GM getting defensemen who could better play the coach's system?

Sorry, but Bryzgalov's play wasn;t good, but the Flyers had more issues-and bigger ones-than Bryz.

How so?
- JAKEw1234

They are going to compete anyways. But they aren't competing for a cup no matter how much couts and schenn break out.

How is that delusional? If they both break out, the Flyers will be 3 lines deep for offense.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Flyers are 3 lines deep on offense if they don't break out. We were 9th in GF last season with little offense from Couturier, a down season from Hartnell and Briere, and horrible ES stats. Now we've added Lecavalier, and Streit (who imo will, when you also consider Gus, drastically change our ES numbers next year). If they both have breakout years, then we'll be an offensively stacked team. One that competes with the top offenses in the league.

Perhaps, but good centers being moved to wing happens a lot. Sergei Federov was a phenomenal 2 way center, but the Wings often moved him to right wing so that they could play him with Yzerman. Putting Couturier on the wing of the top line could actually take some of the defensive pressure off of Giroux.
- BiggE

I think you could take the defensive pressure of G simply by playing him less against top lines or on defensive zone draws.

If Coots develops an offensive game then Lavi can always put him with G to finish out a period. Stack the line like the Pens do with Crosby and Malkin sometimes.

Would you go so far as to bet your account they won't make the playoffs? Perhaps a referee could facilitate such a wager.
- BulliesPhan87

I have no doubt they make the playoffs. Might even win a round. Thought you meant compete for a cup?

They are going to compete anyways. But they aren't competing for a cup no matter how much couts and schenn break out.
- SMS4016

meh, LA taught us that once you get into the playoffs anything can happen. If they compete for the playoffs they compete for the cup. They won't be favorites like Chicago, LA, Boston, Pitt, but compete they will.

The Flyers are 3 lines deep on offense if they don't break out. We were 9th in GF last season with little offense from Couturier, a down season from Hartnell and Briere, and horrible ES stats. Now we've added Lecavalier, and Streit (who imo will, when you also consider Gus, drastically change our ES numbers next year). If they both have breakout years, then we'll be an offensively stacked team. One that competes with the top offenses in the league.
- JAKEw1234

I guess i'm not as high on Vinny and Streit as most. I want to see better two-way play from all 4 lines and all 3 pairings. Not just goals for. I want to see them nail it down when they take a lead into the 3rd period.

How is that delusional? If they both break out, the Flyers will be 3 lines deep for offense.
- PhillySportsGuy

You need defense and goaltending to win a cup. I don't care if we can roll 4 lines. I've said it a million times, if you have "if's" in goal and defense you are NOT winning the cup

Top 5 untapped potential movie ideas:

1. World of Warcraft. (in the making I think) but has huge potential.

2. Halo.... enough said.

3. Thundercats.

4. Legend of Zelda

5. Voltron.

You need defense and goaltending to win a cup. I don't care if we can roll 4 lines. I've said it a million times, if you have "if's" in goal and defense you are NOT winning the cup
- SMS4016

Good team defense is important. If they can roll 4 lines, it means they have very good two-way depth.

You can't tell me that the 2013-14 Flyers are less talented than the 2011-12 Devils.

Top 5 untapped potential movie ideas:

1. World of Warcraft. (in the making I think) but has huge potential.

2. Halo.... enough said.

3. Thundercats.

4. Legend of Zelda

5. Voltron.
- youarewrong

How about Philadelphia The Prequel.