No but the discussion was that Schenn was considered "elite" before he even got to the NHL. If schenn were considered to be a elite player he would have started in the nhl right away.
- PhillaBully

So, would you consider Joe Thornton to be elite? Because that was his draft comparison.

I wouldn't mind seeing talbot, hall, and Rinaldo together on the 4th line
- funmaster18

that's what i've wanted all along


but then again i wanted gagne back

At this point, I kind of want Holmgren out as well.

I honestly don't think Hartnell's game is about waking up.. I never thought he had a lot to his game, in fact I think Simmonds is about what they were looking for in Hartnell.
- mikel33

I think if Hartnell can put up another 25-30 goals this year, he's fine on the top line. He's been able to do that and then some in previous years with less talent next to him. That being said, we probably need at least 90 pts from G and for Voracek to be PPG to make the playoffs and have success. I think it's doable, especially with the chemistry that Vinny, Read and Simmonds have established so far. If they can build on it, that second line will be really good.

I disagree. I think those hits were to defend him (sorta).
I'd give them some more time to shake out both goalies.
I like Mason.
- FlyersGrace

This site needs a sarcasm smiley.

No but the discussion was that Schenn was considered "elite" before he even got to the NHL. If schenn were considered to be a elite player he would have started in the nhl right away.
- PhillaBully

An elite prospect and an elite player are two completely different things.

An 18-year-old elite player like Crosby can step into the league and dominate right away... he's already better than 99% of his peers at that age.

Schenn (and Couturier) are/was/were considered elite prospects, in that they had a high ceiling of potential... however, that doesn't mean that they are guaranteed to hit that potential at all. Elite prospects don't all go on to become elite players.

There were no less than three Flyers near the crease during that play... Schenn, plus Simmonds and Read collapsing down. The turnover and subsequent pass from behind the net were bang-bang so no time for any of the three defenders to turn around.
- Tomahawk

So they're supposed to leave that player uncovererd around the net until the puck gets there? The fundamentals of defensive zone coverage dispute what you state. It was bang-bang, but enough time for Bolland to move to the net to take the pass. They should've already been turned around and identifying the dangerous man, before the pass is made.

Berube should have been named interim head coach and see where it goes. Why give an unproven guy a big contract. I guess the flyers are loaded with cash so that is there business but in the real world you don't throw it away until it is deserved.
- flyerdude17

Who says he has a big contract? The fact his deal is multi-year won't stop them from hiring a new coach for next year if Berube does poorly.

Anybody who knows how to think offense and make a play will help -- what is happening with this team is that the third and fourth lines can't sustain or generate any offense at all.

You can't wear down a team when all you do is dump the puck in -- if you ever had it to begin with -- and try to hit someone when the puck is going the other way.
- AllInForFlyers

they need to generate more zone time. get somebody w/ wheels who can dangle and match him w/ a guy that can convert. that works w/ G and jake when they're on, but it would help couts if he could work w/ better guys.

they also need to make shorter, more accurate passes which would require playing as a team w/ good puck support.

that's what i've wanted all along


but then again i wanted gagne back
- -davies-

A Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo line could play 8-10 minutes a night, with Hall and Talbot adding extra value as penalty killers.

I have absolutely no problem with that.

we need more players like #36
- vejim

we just drafted one, right?

This site needs a sarcasm smiley.
- Flyskippy

none available!

So, would you consider Joe Thornton to be elite? Because that was his draft comparison.
- jmatchett383

That's one comparable, made by one scouting service -- I think you're clinging on to it rather tightly.

Just from watching TSN draft telecasts, we all know the comparables can get out of hand/irresponsible around that time.

So, would you consider Joe Thornton to be elite? Because that was his draft comparison.
- jmatchett383

No.

Connor Mcdavid is a prospect that i would consider Elite. McDavid will not see a ahl or another Junior game after he is drafted.



Schenn was not a prospect i would consider Elite.

Elite to me means the very top percentile of players... maybe top 3-5%... that's 21-35 guys in a 700 player league. Sharp gets consideration for top-50, so he's not far off.

I don't see Schenn as a top-percentile guy, but he could still easily become a David Backes type who can click w/ good linemates, produce points, and bring a host of other desirable things to the table.
- Tomahawk

Good comparison.

So they're supposed to leave that player uncovererd around the net until the puck gets there? The fundamentals of defensive zone coverage dispute what you state. It was bang-bang, but enough time for Bolland to move to the net to take the pass. They should've already been turned around and identifying the dangerous man, before the pass is made.
- MJL

Bolland snuck up behind them on what was a line rush that ended up behind the net... you're grasping at straws here.

A Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo line could play 8-10 minutes a night, with Hall and Talbot adding extra value as penalty killers.

I have absolutely no problem with that.
- AllInForFlyers

Given the roster, best option IMO as well. Good for a lot of reasons.

A Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo line could play 8-10 minutes a night, with Hall and Talbot adding extra value as penalty killers.

I have absolutely no problem with that.
- AllInForFlyers

that line is a "slap in the face"

Anybody who knows how to think offense and make a play will help -- what is happening with this team is that the third and fourth lines can't sustain or generate any offense at all.

You can't wear down a team when all you do is dump the puck in -- if you ever had it to begin with -- and try to hit someone when the puck is going the other way.
- AllInForFlyers

What is happening is the first line isn't generating any offense. Giroux, Hartnell, and Voracek have zero points through 3 games.

I wouldn't mind seeing talbot, hall, and Rinaldo together on the 4th line
- funmaster18

You nailed it! I think the point I was trying unsuccessfully to make is that if every player gave an honest effort like Rinaldo does every night we would have a playoff team. Zack totally impresses me with what he gets done on the ice because he is not that big but has a big heart.

My only point was that he was projected to be a player like Joe Thornton, one of the best playmakers in the game, and a player I would consider elite. To me, that is expected to be more than a "good player."
- jmatchett383

Look at the skill set that B Schenn has. Does hs seem to possess a killer elite wrist shot? How about a big slap shot? Does he seem to have elite skating ability? How about playmaking ability? Does he show flashes of that as a young player, like Giroux did?
I think the comparisons and expectations of Schenn as a potential 30-30 guy who plays a hard physical style, is realistic.
Anyone who has expectations of Schenn being elite, is unrealistic, and is probably going to be disapointed. But you never know.

An elite prospect and an elite player are two completely different things.

An 18-year-old elite player like Crosby can step into the league and dominate right away... he's already better than 99% of his peers at that age.

Schenn (and Couturier) are/was/were considered elite prospects, in that they had a high ceiling of potential... however, that doesn't mean that they are guaranteed to hit that potential at all. Elite prospects don't all go on to become elite players.
- Tomahawk

And they also don't all immediately step in. Ryan Strome of the Isles was picked before Couturier, as was Mark Scheifele and neither of them has seen much NHL action prior to this year.

It's hard to justify the developmental paths the Flyers have chosen for Schenn and Couturier.

Schenn's been bounced from LW to C and back to LW. He's been up and down from the AHL. The only constant thing is, he's been in primarily a scoring line role.

Couturier has played almost exclusively with grinders and goons, yet people expect him to show offensive improvement to make his high draft position seem relevant.

A Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo line could play 8-10 minutes a night, with Hall and Talbot adding extra value as penalty killers.

I have absolutely no problem with that.
- AllInForFlyers

I would also vote for this, if voting was a thing.

You nailed it! I think the point I was trying unsuccessfully to make is that if every player gave an honest effort like Rinaldo does every night we would have a playoff team. Zack totally impresses me with what he gets done on the ice because he is not that big but has a big heart.
- flyerdude17

Amen!

What is happening is the first line isn't generating any offense. Giroux, Hartnell, and Voracek have zero points through 3 games.
- MJL

I agree it is not the bottom six, it is the lack of production from the top six and especailly Giroux and Voracek who are not playing well. Hartnell had the one big year and other than that is the same old clumsy, feisty role player. He has to concentrate on taking the body, staying out of the box, staying on his feet and the rest will fall into place.