Most teams don't have Giroux, Lacavalier, Schenn as the other three centers on the team. One of them is going to have to play wing and one is going to be the third line center. Who are you bumping on Toronto? Bozak and Khadri?
- mayorofangrytown

Toronto would drop one of those two in a heartbeat for another power winger. They know it -- they want it so bad, they can taste it.

They'd run lines out there of JVR/Couturier/Kessel, Lupul/Bozak-Kadri/Power Winger, Checker/Bolland/Clarkson...man, holy hell. I've seen worse forward lines than that terrify that league.

Dead serious: If somebody effs up and gives Toronto a young power center...Brian Burke did a good job up there, man. I sure as hell hope it's not us who turns that team into a group of scary SOBs.

Exactly. Let's not forget we're two seasons removed from Couturier shutting down one of the best players in the NHL in the playoffs--especially on the PK.

Who has controlled the PK the past couple of seasons?

Oh, just Craig Berube.
- KGBflyers10

How could we ever forget he shut down Malkin in the playoffs?

1st: It's all anyone talks about.

2nd: It's the last thing he did.

I want the kid to be a HOFer but the hype machine in Philly for him is insane at this point in his career. It's gotten more play than Jeff Carter's defensive game.

How is raffl doing with the phantoms? Didn't he score twice opening night?

The other thing about this change is now the phantoms are playing the same way the flyers are. I think it's stupid to have a minor league team playing a completely different style. Can we have an organizational identity?

As much as I am a flyer fan I can't help but think they are the nfl equivalent to the cowboys

How is raffl doing with the phantoms? Didn't he score twice opening night?

The other thing about this change is now the phantoms are playing the same way the flyers are. I think it's stupid to have a minor league team playing a completely different style. Can we have an organizational identity?

As much as I am a flyer fan I can't help but think they are the nfl equivalent to the cowboys
- Just5

Without the Championships.

How is raffl doing with the phantoms? Didn't he score twice opening night?

The other thing about this change is now the phantoms are playing the same way the flyers are. I think it's stupid to have a minor league team playing a completely different style. Can we have an organizational identity?

As much as I am a flyer fan I can't help but think they are the nfl equivalent to the cowboys
- Just5

Nah, Raffl had an assist. Although McGinn and Alderson both had a goal in the opening game. Wouldn't mind trying Alderson on the 3rd line for a game either. I thought he had a decent rookie camp.

How could we ever forget he shut down Malkin in the playoffs?

1st: It's all anyone talks about.

2nd: It's the last thing he did.

I want the kid to be a HOFer but the hype machine in Philly for him is insane at this point in his career. It's gotten more play than Jeff Carter's defensive game.
- mayorofangrytown

Man, I don't care about what he did in the playoffs, because you're right: THat's ancient history. It's about production, now.

What I whine about is him playing with who he plays with. On some levels, it really is laughable, who a 6-4, 210-pound center who is projected to be a two-way scoring threat has played with at times.

Sorry, forced to make a less than ideal choice. Happy?
- Tomahawk

Who decides what is ideal?

I say this because it's true: I know exactly where I was when Wayne Gretzky was sold/traded (depending on who you ask), so we all know that everyone can get moved.

But for all those who agree with me and all those who don't, I say this from the bottom of my heart: We only get to trade Sean Couturier once.

And I guarantee the next team that gets him, if that is the case, won't be playing him with the wingers we are. Just sayin'.
- AllInForFlyers

That depends on the situation and the team. The Flyers have Giroux and Lecavalier at Center. He's 20 years old. He'll get his chances over his career. You need at least 3 good lines in today's NHL. And it's great to be strong up the middle.

That depends on the situation and the team. The Flyers have Giroux and Lecavalier at Center. He's 20 years old. He'll get his chances over his career. You need at least 3 good lines in today's NHL. And it's great to be strong up the middle.
- MJL

Thanks, MJL! Don't know what I'd do if you weren't around to clarify EVERY SINGLE THING I POST!

Because nobody on this board knows that Giroux and Lecavalier play center, or how old Sean Couturier is, or how many good lines are needed!

Come on, man -- give it a rest!

It's very possible. I like Gardiner, but he'd be a costly addition, and might not be a step forward, if it cost Couturier.
- Jsaquella

once again: can we please keep one of our first rounders for more than five (frank)ing minutes?

once again: can we please keep one of our first rounders for more than five (frank)ing minutes?
- hammarby31

this, please

According to a report, 43 year old Sergei Fedorov will come out of retirement to play in the KHL

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ent-to-play-for-khl-club/
- Jsaquella

more important: what does pronger think, and was there any mention of zherdev?

once again: can we please keep one of our first rounders for more than five (frank)ing minutes?
- hammarby31

Man, I don't care about what he did in the playoffs, because you're right: THat's ancient history. It's about production, now.

What I whine about is him playing with who he plays with. On some levels, it really is laughable, who a 6-4, 210-pound center who is projected to be a two-way scoring threat has played with at times.
- AllInForFlyers

You didn't want them to sign Lecavelier? Because that's how you make Couturier the second line center. Not that I'm saying I disagree with that because that signing was the big surprise to me this off season.

Man, I don't care about what he did in the playoffs, because you're right: THat's ancient history. It's about production, now.

What I whine about is him playing with who he plays with. On some levels, it really is laughable, who a 6-4, 210-pound center who is projected to be a two-way scoring threat has played with at times.
- AllInForFlyers

Coot's defensive coverage of Malkin, though it was a few years back was nothing short of tremendous. That type of ability is no accident nor does it disappear overnight. He still puts in a good amount of time killing penalties here and is doing a decent job of it.

My though was that the Flyers did not want to take away from his other talents by strictly giving him defensive responsibilities, so they asked him to place more emphasis on his offense which, for now, may have affected his overall game. He did, after all, put up pretty good numbers with Drummondville and showed some flashes here. Or maybe he's still going through the proverbial sophomore slump.

I'd like to think the Flyers are still trying to figure what his best role is and to place him in the best position to help the team.

His first step is still a little slow but may improve with instruction and strength. He looks like he can still afford to put on a few lbs. Or maybe he still needs some time to get his 6'4" legs completely under him. Or even maybe that's the type of skater he'll always be. We'll see.

seems like he wants to make a name for himself and it's working
- -davies-

I thought it was pretty funny. Completely inappropriate, but funny. Got to admit, he does have a point. If Berube wants come out and say he's going to hold the players accountable he needs to do it. I also don't blame Sielski for striking out at the coach and the team. He was treated with a lot of hostility by the Flyers Owner and Coach. I could see where it would piss a guy off.

You didn't want them to sign Lecavelier? Because that's how you make Couturier the second line center. Not that I'm saying I disagree with that because that signing was the big surprise to me this off season.
- mayorofangrytown

See, that's a tough one -- Lecavalier is clearly still a scoring threat in the league, and, was last season, and likely will be for the next few years. So yes, every argument could be made as to why you sign him. And he's played well, and I have little doubt that he will continue to do so.

But it does impact Sean Couturier's development here, his offensive opportunities. In the long run...I mean, that's one that we're gonna know about for a while.

If you're asking me what I would've done...Man. Hell. I don't know.

I spent too many Saturday nights in that old Gym turned Bingo Hall. Strange days indeed.
- mayorofangrytown

jealous

i went to two shows when i was like 12 but never made it to the Arena

See...we're one of few teams that would even pretend to keep Sean Couturier on the third line.

I'd bet a paycheck that if we flipped him to Toronto, we'd get a steady dose of JVR/Couturier/Kessel for about a decade.
- AllInForFlyers

Like they're doing with Kadri?

once again: can we please keep one of our first rounders for more than five (frank)ing minutes?
- hammarby31

why? let the Flyers trade him so in about a year the fans can female dog and moan about it

once again: can we please keep one of our first rounders for more than five (frank)ing minutes?
- hammarby31

I am not advocating it...

Like they're doing with Kadri?
- bradleyc4

Ha! I think they'd love to sell high on Kadri, to be honest. I think the like him, not love him, you know?

Like they're doing with Kadri?
- bradleyc4

Kadri has become quite the nice player huh? shows what a little patience with talent can do (119 AHL games played)

why? let the Flyers trade him so in about a year the fans can female dog and moan about it
- nastyflyergirl

Some fan grousing is/was completely justified.

just be patient with Couts.

look how Eller has developed slowly