Gervais all day.

......those are probably the first time those words have ever been uttered.
- Giroux_Is_God

Probably Gill.

I have always had a soft spot for the big, and yes even slow defensive D. I like the leadership Gill could bring, and honestly I feel the defensive issues with this team lie more in the forward ranks than the d-men.

On that thought, I will be the first to admit however that I have concerns when Timonen does indeed finally depart. This team will sorely miss star power on the back end when that day comes.

On that note, there are a lot of questions this season, that will translate to the future.

On D: Can Timonen maintain a high enough level of play while staying reasonably healthy?
-If he cannot, and the injury/consistency issues arise with Grossman/Coburn...

On O: Can the forwards play a 200 foot game, and Voracek, Coots, Brayden Schenn continue to develop?

Goaltending: Can Emery estabish himself as a solid #1, and stay healthy. Will Mason bounce back from his bad years in Columbus?

The big thing to take from just these few, is that there are many directions this team can go in the next few years. While I do think they will have a decent season, I do have fears about the overall stability of the group.

Too many question marks, in too many positions. We will see, but I would not be suprised if we see more turn-over next season. Optimism is one thing, but I thinks its a little foolish to think everything will fall together for the group.

Nutters gut check prediction list: (props to bigE for the idea)

1. Emery takes over as the starting goaltender for the Flyers. I do believe he has the right mentality, and experience to take over as the #1 for the team in general. I am not one who believes that you need an absolute stud, but I do believe Emery can provide the sort of stability that Marty Biron brought to the team.

2. Steve Mason continues to develop, but I will say that my gut feels he will not be the answer. I am actually a pretty big fan of the kid, love the puck-handling and athletic ability, but I do not think he has a strong enough mental aspect to his game to be a legit #1 in Philadelphia. The talent is there, but I question him.

3. Sean Couturier has a nice bounce-back season. I never personally expected him to do much offensively, but I do think he performs at a solid defensive level. It will be nice having a true shutdown line, and a think Couturier can be a big part of that for years to come.

4. The team scores goals, and finally has decent "point presence" with the emergence of Guss, and signing of Streit. However, keeping the puck out of the net remains an issue.

5. The defense is hampered by injuries. I do not expect Grossman to hold up, and thats unfortunate to say because I am one of his biggest supporters. I do think Timonen continues to be a #1 workhorse, but over-working him yet again will cause his play to drop. I do expect injuries to arise with Guss, but on the plus side see Luke Schenn continue being a source of stability.

6. Peter Laviolette is fired around the all star break. The Flyers have for the last few years, actually for a while been good up until Christmas. After the holidays and until the all star break, we all know the annual struggles. I am a huge fan of Peter, love the system, the approach and do believe he is a solid bench-boss, but I dont think he survives the season. Unfortunate, but I do believe Murray takes over before season's end.

7. Claude Giroux along with Hartnell have solid seasons. I do think both will come ready to play, and with fire. I will say, I expect injury issues with Giroux. He is target #1 probably aside from Timonen.

8. The team just misses the playoffs.

9. Rinaldo and Laughton are positives for the season. I do expect both to play mainly 4th line duties, but it has been a little while since that 4th line has been a consistent pleasure to watch. I expect it to be again this season.

10. Does Holmgren survive the season? To be honest, I have no idea on this one. I liked what he did this off-season but I think having Hextall in the wings looms large.

Okay, assuming cap hits are even, would you rather have Gill or Gervias as your #7/8?
- jmatchett383

Gill. He's a vet and a "good guy in the room"

Annnnd just for fun, because I have to study for (frank)ing pharmacology nursing finals:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read
Laughton-Hall-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Meszaros
Streit-Grossman
Guss

By the way, anybody think they see Ron Hextall's influence already, with the Flyers seemingly going really lukewarm on even giving Simon Gagne a camp invite as a non-roster player?

They had never committed to it, certainly...but I read the one story on CSNPhilly where it seems like that just isn't going to happen, and you have to wonder if Hextall's the one who might be a believer in Daniel Cleary, if what Eklund's hearing is true, since he saw him more often in the West. (I know a lot of people bash him, but his Flyers info is actually well above-average, as far as reliability.)
- AllInForFlyers

Cleary brings grit that Gagne doesn't have...even now, he probably can't match Gagne's hands and overall talent.

Cleary's grit and good wheels are ideally suited to a third line and IMO, Cleary, Couturier & Read is a better 3rd line than if it was Gagne-Couts & Read

Annnnd just for fun, because I have to study for (frank)ing pharmacology nursing finals:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read
Laughton-Hall-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Meszaros
Streit-Grossman
Guss
- flyer_nutter

Laughton will be back in Oshawa

Laughton will be back in Oshawa
- ob18

I've lurked a bit in the summer, you are really beating that drum eh?

I'd actually really love it if he could make team Canada. Do believe he is still eligible.


P.S. From what I have read a little bit, next years draft class seems a bit weaker.

I've lurked a bit in the summer, you are really beating that drum eh?

I'd actually really love it if he could make team Canada. Do believe he is still eligible.


P.S. From what I have read a little bit, next years draft class seems a bit weaker.
- flyer_nutter

No I just simply suggest it's just as much a possibility of him staying.

I don't think it's going to be weaker I actually think as of right now it will have some punch just maybe not as much as this past year, but a lot can change after they start playing.

No I just simply suggest it's just as much a possibility of him staying.

I don't think it's going to be weaker I actually think as of right now it will have some punch just maybe not as much as this past year, but a lot can change after they start playing.
- ob18

Watch out for a young gun in Tatar for Detriot this year. They have groomed the kid well. 16 goals, and 21 points in 24 playoff games this past season helping Grand Rapids win the Cup.

Playoff MVP. Picked 60th overall, in the 2009 draft.

Do you think Coburn will have a better year?
- Yeti1181

He's been doing intense nostril workouts all summer. He's gonna have a great year.

Do you think Coburn will have a better year?
- Yeti1181

As long as he is the "defense" part of whatever pair he is on, he will be fine. He can contribute offensively, but I think in his head he needs to be absolved of that responsibility to be effective.

He is a great skater and big. He can play mean when he has to. Pair him with Gus or Meszaros.

As long as he is the "defense" part of whatever pair he is on, he will be fine. He can contribute offensively, but I think in his head he needs to be absolved of that responsibility to be effective.

He is a great skater and big. He can play mean when he has to. Pair him with Gus or Meszaros.
- MBFlyerfan

Him and Streit are perfect for each other. Streit needs a defensive minded partner that can allow him to focus on his offensive game, and sort of allow him to reign free. Coburn needs an offensive, puck moving partner that can carry most of the offensive burden, allowing him to keep things simple and focus on his defense. One major reason he failed last year was because Laviolette tried to make him play like a player he isn't, requiring him to play outside of his comfort level and abilities. Streit and Coburn make a very solid and balanced pairing on paper.

Cleary brings grit that Gagne doesn't have...even now, he probably can't match Gagne's hands and overall talent.

Cleary's grit and good wheels are ideally suited to a third line and IMO, Cleary, Couturier & Read is a better 3rd line than if it was Gagne-Couts & Read
- Jsaquella

I agree with that -- it's not that I don't think Simon Gagne doesn't have 10-15 goals left in his stick, or that he shouldn't be in the NHL. I don't think that at all; I still think he can play.

But boy...I do believe a line of Cleary-Couturier-Read would be kinda nice to have...I think you need a line like that to do stuff in the playoffs, and since I kinda want to get back there this year, I'm wanting to believe we'll be set for that early.

Flyer-Nutter, I like your potential lines, except I would put Laughton in the minors and I would put Talbot on the 4th line and put Gagne on the 3rd line with Couts and Read. I still think Gagne has something left in the tank and he plays a good two way game. I think Gags/Couts/Read will be defensively responsible and they will be able to score some goals, too.

Him and Streit are perfect for each other. Streit needs a defensive minded partner that can allow him to focus on his offensive game, and sort of allow him to reign free. Coburn needs an offensive, puck moving partner that can carry most of the offensive burden, allowing him to keep things simple and focus on his defense. One major reason he failed last year was because Laviolette tried to make him play like a player he isn't, requiring him to play outside of his comfort level and abilities. Streit and Coburn make a very solid and balanced pairing on paper.
- JAKEw1234