[quote=jak521]

Without Talbot that line becomes a bad defensive line. Simmonds is that bad in his own end IMO.
- MBFlyerfan

I think chief really liked how couturier read and talbot looked. I don't anticipate that line changing for a couple games.

HA!
- PLindbergh31

As to your original point. I am guessing we wont see any REAL change until after the Pittsburgh game when they get that 6 day break.

I think chief really liked how couturier read and talbot looked. I don't anticipate that line changing for a couple games.
- funmaster18

I like that line as well. The right combo of skill and defensive awareness.

My prediction for the year: Mez comes back to form and will be the team's best defenseman.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

Thank god we didn't trade the versatile read and a pick for bernier. We'd be the laughingstock of the league

I think chief really liked how couturier read and talbot looked. I don't anticipate that line changing for a couple games.
- funmaster18

I like that line a lot as well. Gives cooter at least one guy who can score. I still hate Simmonds on the top line. I know I'm in the minority here but I don't like his game all too much. Since everyone else likes to pretend they're gm's, I'd package simmonds and a defenseman/pick for an upgrade in the top 6.

The lack of confidence is hurting them right now, plus apparently their conditioning.

They played really good against Toronto for two periods. So it's not like this team doesn't have talent, and can't be competitive on a nightly basis.
- KGBflyers10

I am willing to give them a few games to adjust. The Flyers could very easily have lost vs Florida if not for Mason, but I guess it evens out with our first game and Bernier stealing the show. Phoenix and Detroit are huge tests for this squad that is in transition and apparently out of shape (how does that happen?). I am hoping for good results, but it could take longer. Phoenix beat Detroit in Motown last night, so they are no slouch. Also, Florida has had horrible results yet they easily outplayed us.. does not bode well. Save us Chief!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

I like that line a lot as well. Gives cooter at least one guy who can score. I still hate Simmonds on the top line. I know I'm in the minority here but I don't like his game all too much. Since everyone else likes to pretend they're gm's, I'd package simmonds and a defenseman/pick to and upgrade in the top 6.
- JFlyers00

I agree. I think Giroux needs a better offensive threat than hartnell and Simmonds. One or the other on that line is OK, but not sure about both. Hopefully they end up tearing it up but it feels like an odd mix to me.

In the early days of his head coaching tenure, Berube has emphasized the need for the team to improve its skating. Yesterday, he said that the team needs to "skate quicker and think quicker," noting that the two are intertwined.
- bmeltzer

I love this quote!

I love this thought process by the Chief!

Better conditioning can only mean better play on the ice. When you are better conditioned you will not tire as quickly which will lead to less mental breakdowns. (in theory anyway)

Thank god we didn't trade the versatile read and a pick for bernier. We'd be the laughingstock of the league
- SMS4016

I've got no complaints about Mason so far, and I am not ready yet to hand the Vezina to Bernier. Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't the rumour that we offered read and a pick for Bernier and they just didn't take us up on it?

Thank god we didn't trade the versatile read and a pick for bernier. We'd be the laughingstock of the league
- SMS4016

I'd like to see where LA said that would do it and the flyers refused.

Thank god we didn't trade the versatile read and a pick for bernier. We'd be the laughingstock of the league
- SMS4016

We got mason for a lot less, even though hes had a rough time in Columbus hes accomplished boatloads more than bernier.

I love this quote!

I love this thought process by the Chief!

Better conditioning can only mean better play on the ice. When you are better conditioned you will not tire as quickly which will lead to less mental breakdowns. (in theory anyway)
- ggunky

He sure says all the right things. I like his views so far. While I was surprised by his hiring, the more I hear from him the more I understand their confidence in giving him a shot.

I agree. I think Giroux needs a better offensive threat than hartnell and Simmonds. One or the other on that line is OK, but not sure about both. Hopefully they end up tearing it up but it feels like an odd mix to me.
- funmaster18

I felt the same way when they put Hartnell with Giroux and Jagr; thought there'd be no way he'd keep up or fit in. I hope the same thing happens with this trio.

We got mason for a lot less, even though hes had a rough time in Columbus hes accomplished boatloads more than bernier.
- twotoekenn

O_o

He sure says all the right things. I like his views so far. While I was surprised by his hiring, the more I hear from him the more I understand their confidence in giving him a shot.
- funmaster18

IndEEd.

When i heard he was hired as the coach i didnt have a reaction. I knew nothing about his coaching tenure other then what i read from Bill.

Regardless of the player he was, during his career, that had zero influence on me and my opinion of him being hired as the coach.

I am excited about tonight.

I look forward to the game at the end of the month and the start of November. By then he will have had a solid amount of time to implement his system and work with the club to feel out how he wants to set up his lines and D pairings.

After the Pens game he has nearly a week before the next game, a good window for him to really work hi system into place.

I agree. I think Giroux needs a better offensive threat than hartnell and Simmonds. One or the other on that line is OK, but not sure about both. Hopefully they end up tearing it up but it feels like an odd mix to me.
- funmaster18

Hartnell and Simmonds are like Dekembe Mutombos

All I want to see tonight is continued progress:

Hustle and hard work for 60 minutes
Feet moving and gaps shortened on the breakout
More traffic going to the net
Improvement on gaining the zone on the pp

If all of the above happens, and Mason continues to play well, I think there is a very good shot the Flyers win tonight.

I agree. I think Giroux needs a better offensive threat than hartnell and Simmonds. One or the other on that line is OK, but not sure about both. Hopefully they end up tearing it up but it feels like an odd mix to me.
- funmaster18

I just think Giroux needs to play better. Both Simmonds and Hartnell each had 25+ goal seasons. This is on Giroux to up his game.

Thank god we didn't trade the versatile read and a pick for bernier. We'd be the laughingstock of the league
- SMS4016

Read has been one of the best forwards this season, and is signed long term to a low cap hit. Mason has been great since he got here. Maybe you should go back to crying about how getting a #1 defenseman at any cost is the best way to build a team. Seems to be working out great in Nashville.

He sure says all the right things. I like his views so far. While I was surprised by his hiring, the more I hear from him the more I understand their confidence in giving him a shot.
- funmaster18

I'm fine with the Cheif, I think too much is made of his lack of head coaching experience and pedigree.

While Fred Shero had a ton of minor league coaching experience, the Rangers had passed on him for head coach on multiple occasions, nor did any other NHL team ever seriously consider him as well.

Pat Quinn was only a couple of years removed from being an active player when he took over the Flyers late in the 78-79 season. All he did the following year was coach them to a 35 game unbeaten streak, 118 points, and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals (Frank you Leon Stickle!!)

While Mike Keenan had been successful at every level he had coached, at 34 years of age, most "experts" thought him to be too young and too inexperienced to succeed at the NHL level.

With all that being said, I am more than willing to give Berube a fair shake. I'm certainly fine with what he seems to be trying to accomplish so far.

I just think Giroux needs to play better. Both Simmonds and Hartnell each had 25+ goal seasons. This is on Giroux to up his game.
- flyers2001

absolutely! I think Berube wants to see better play from Giroux and then he will most likely move Voracek back onto his line.