There's fantasy and there's reality. Fantasy is Holmgren stating that they think Cousins can be the 2nd line Center on this team. It never happened, and it wouldn't happen at this time. What's reality is that Laughton is a better player then Akeson is, and poseesses a better skill set for the needs of the team at this point in time. so therefore, has a more realistic shot at making the team. That is what it is based on. And not the imaginary situation that you propose that doesn't exist.
- MJL

OK, here's a little reality for you: Scott Laughton has played five games on the fourth line at the NHL level.

Everything else you are talking about, with this "better skill set for the needs of the team," is you parroting what you read because that's what you want to believe. I want Scott Laughton to make it because he's a Flyer, but I'd totally pay money to see what you'd post if, three years from now, Laughton produces like Andreas Nodl in the bottom six.

I would take B Schenn or Read in that spot over Akeson in a heartbeat. I think people are WAY overrating Akeson based on one late season game and one split squad preseason game.
- BiggE

Remember Jon Sim? He would light it up every Pre Season. We used to hear the same thing about him.

I have no issues with that. But I'm the kind of person that I don't think the 3 best players have to be on the top line. I believe that chemistry can do wonders.

Do I think Akeson would make the team. Most likely not. If he makes the team, it will be in a scoring roll, and if its a scoring roll it will likely be with Giroux and Voracek.

I'm not saying this is going to happen, but what if Hartnell doesn't return to the player he was in 2011? Who do you get to play with Giroux? Is Schenn ready to be a top line winger? Is Read? Is Simmonds a top line player playing on the off-wing?

I would give it a 1 in 50 shot of happening, but I would at least like to give them a look together in preseason. If somehos they look like the Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr line from 2 years ago in their passing and scoring, why not keep them together?
- youarewrong

Harrell & Voracek each had the best seasons of their careers playing with Giroux, so they do have more proven chemistry with G than Akeson...Read has shown 20 goal ability, Simmonds has shown chemistry with Giroux on the power play. Akeson, while I'm not dismissing him, would be about 7th in line as a guy I'd try on the first line.

Harrell & Voracek each had the best seasons of their careers playing with Giroux, so they do have more proven chemistry with G than Akeson...Read has shown 20 goal ability, Simmonds has shown chemistry with Giroux on the power play. Akeson, while I'm not dismissing him, would be about 7th in line as a guy I'd try on the first line.
- Jsaquella

I guess chemistry is easy when your playing with Giroux (Hockey's Heisenberg)

Sorry if it's been covered, but for those looking to watch the game up here in Canada, will it be streamed anywhere? Anyone know where we can watch it?

OK, here's a little reality for you: Scott Laughton has played five games on the fourth line at the NHL level.

Everything else you are talking about, with this "better skill set for the needs of the team," is you parroting what you read because that's what you want to believe. I want Scott Laughton to make it because he's a Flyer, but I'd totally pay money to see what you'd post if, three years from now, Laughton produces like Andreas Nodl in the bottom six.
- AllInForFlyers

Your right, it's all just a work of fiction concerning Scott Laughton. None of it is based on the tools that he's shown in his Junior career. Or the skill set that he has shown to have. That made him a first round draft pick. It's all just made up nonsense. I just like him better then Akeson, because 21 is my favorite number!

You might have a point with the Nodl comment if I stated that Scott Laughton is a can't miss NHL player, who is going to be a top player.

I guess chemistry is easy when your playing with Giroux (Hockey's Sam Axe)
- PhillySportsGuy

ftfy

Your right, it's all just a work of fiction concerning Scott Laughton. None of it is based on the tools that he's shown in his Junior career. Or the skill set that he has shown to have. That made him a first round draft pick. It's all just made up nonsense. I just like him better then Akeson, because 21 is my favorite number!

You might have a point with the Nodl comment if I stated that Scott Laughton is a can't miss NHL player, who is going to be a top player.
- MJL

Thank God you finally realized that Laughton is clearly a bust because he hasn't scored in 5 NHl games as an 18-year-old playing bottom-6 minutes.

ftfy
- jmatchett383

He drinks that often?

He drinks that often?
- PhillySportsGuy

And beds wealthy older ladies.

Yes, you're absolutely right, Laughton is unfairly being hailed as the golden boy and everyone who says he's NHL ready is wrong. Happy?
- jmatchett383

Man, come on. You act like you've never seen a player never be much more than they were when they first crack the NHL, and that it's enough to simply be defensively responsible when you get there.

Again: First-round pick Brian Sutherby cracked the NHL at age 19. Look where that got him.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-before-maple-leafs-game/

And beds wealthy older ladies.
- jmatchett383

Cougar huntin'

Man, come on. You act like you've never seen a player never be much more than they were when they first crack the NHL, and that it's enough to simply be defensively responsible when you get there.

Again: First-round pick Brian Sutherby cracked the NHL at age 19. Look where that got him.
- AllInForFlyers

There will be a day when we don't argue over Laughton.

Man, come on. You act like you've never seen a player never be much more than they were when they first crack the NHL, and that it's enough to simply be defensively responsible when you get there.

Again: First-round pick Brian Sutherby cracked the NHL at age 19. Look where that got him.
- AllInForFlyers

Look...yes, Laughton may be a bust. He may be out of hockey is 3 years. It's possible. However, he is perceived to be a player who has very good defensive skills for a prospect and has a track record of good offensive production at the junior level. What else do you want me to say? That he might be bad? He might. I...where are you going? Is it just "He might be bad, so why do we like him," well it's because all of the experts, people that make a living based on projecting young players, like him, and because he has a track record of it in his career to date as a whole. I'm sorry he hasn't scored yet in 5 NHL games at the age of 18 and 2 preseason games.

There will be a day when we don't argue over Laughton.
- PhillySportsGuy

When he's busing tables in Oklahoma in 4 years going, "You know, I was a hockey player once."

Look...yes, Laughton may be a bust. He may be out of hockey is 3 years. It's possible. However, he is perceived to be a player who has very good defensive skills for a prospect and has a track record of good offensive production at the junior level. What else do you want me to say? That he might be bad? He might. I...where are you going? Is it just "He might be bad, so why do we like him," well it's because all of the experts, people that make a living based on projecting young players, like him, and because he has a track record of it in his career to date as a whole. I'm sorry he hasn't scored yet in 5 NHL games at the age of 18 and 2 preseason games.
- jmatchett383

we should really just release him at this point.

Your right, it's all just a work of fiction concerning Scott Laughton. None of it is based on the tools that he's shown in his Junior career. Or the skill set that he has shown to have. That made him a first round draft pick. It's all just made up nonsense. I just like him better then Akeson, because 21 is my favorite number!

You might have a point with the Nodl comment if I stated that Scott Laughton is a can't miss NHL player, who is going to be a top player.
- MJL

Oh, for God's sake -- all first-round picks have tools. Pavel Brendl had tools. Eric Chouinard had tools.

We'll see if Scott Laughton's tools that he's shown in his junior career mean a damn thing in the NHL -- I've simply watched enough games to be honest enough to say that I haven't seen Scott Laughton do anything well enough for me to know that he's going to make it.

I want him to make it, because he's a Flyer.

When he's busing tables in Oklahoma in 4 years going, "You know, I was a hockey player once."
- jmatchett383

A hockey player retiring and moving to Oklahoma...How cliche

No, this is you putting out stuff that is easily argued, and you don't like it when a guy you have a problem with destroys your premise...on a daily basis....

- MBFlyerfan

No. People should be able to express their opinions. You can NOT argue the fact that he would like to just "see" what he looks like on the top line. In a different environment, a less confrontational answer could be: "I don't think that would work"... instead of making the person feel like an idiot and defend his thoughts.

I feel as though this board is policed for opinions that can only make sense for certain people, otherwise you dare not post in this board.

There is not much "light" talk. No off the wall ideas may be presented unless they are clearly stated as a joke. You must fact check before expressing a dislike for someone/player, otherwise you should NOT dislike that person, and you're an idiot. Before you express that you like someone, you must make sure they have appropriate reasons for said satisfaction of that player.

Once the ball is rolling, like in high school, others join in on the fun of feeling superior, as though their thoughts and opinions meet the criteria for correct thoughts and opinions on this board.

Its all a very interesting thing to observe.

Oh, for God's sake -- all first-round picks have tools. Pavel Brendl had tools. Eric Chouinard had tools.

We'll see if Scott Laughton's tools that he's shown in his junior career mean a damn thing in the NHL -- I've simply watched enough games to be honest enough to say that I haven't seen Scott Laughton do anything well enough for me to know that he's going to make it.

I want him to make it, because he's a Flyer.
- AllInForFlyers

Not to jump in here, but I'd roughly agree here. To me, Nick Cousins has looked the better of the two, at least so far.

we should really just release him at this point.
- PhillySportsGuy

Again: We couldn't get Andreas Nodl out of here fast enough, but at one time, I bet every single person on this board thought he was going to be a player.

Think about it.

Oh, for God's sake -- all first-round picks have tools. Pavel Brendl had tools. Eric Chouinard had tools.

We'll see if Scott Laughton's tools that he's shown in his junior career mean a damn thing in the NHL -- I've simply watched enough games to be honest enough to say that I haven't seen Scott Laughton do anything well enough for me to know that he's going to make it.

I want him to make it, because he's a Flyer.
- AllInForFlyers

Which games are those?

Again: We couldn't get Andreas Nodl out of here fast enough, but at one time, I bet every single person on this board thought he was going to be a player.

Think about it.
- AllInForFlyers

Very true.