Schenn's long term potential may be better at wing, but for now I think its best to keep him where he is comfortable. As you know, I am NOT a big fan of Simmonds defensive game, but I'd rather see him with defensively responsible players like Couturier and Read, rather than guys like VL and Schenn.

RE Hall vs Rinaldo
I'm pretty much ok with either. Rinaldo brings energy to the lineup and that, to me, is a positive. However, Hall wins faceoffs and kills penalties and is solid in his role. Neither would likely see more than 5-6 minutes per game at even strength, so it all depends on how vital they feel Hall is to the PK.
- BiggE

With this team's lack of speed, I would rather have Rinaldo. Couturier has shown to be a much better face-off man this year. That makes Hall a little more expendable. Although, moving Vinny to wing takes away his value on faceoffs.

With this team's lack of speed, I would rather have Rinaldo. Couturier has shown to be a much better face-off man this year. That makes Hall a little more expendable. Although, moving Vinny to wing takes away his value on faceoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think having Vinny there helps them if G gets kicked out of the circle.

I think having Vinny there helps them if G gets kicked out of the circle.
- johndewar

I'm totally in favor of moving Vinny to the top line with G. I have wanted that from the very beginning.

Voracek and G scored a lot of points together last year, but they didn't have the same chemistry that the 19-28-68 line had. I've always liked Giroux with a veteran natural scorer. Vinny won't hesitate to shoot the puck like Voracek does.

Getting ready to head to my flight to Key West!

I'll check in during or after the Ranger game, have a good day all!!
- BiggE

Say hello to the cats at Hemingway's house.

I think on paper, the Flyers are a stronger team with Lecavalier centering the 2nd line. But with the offensive woes the team has been having, anything is worth a try. As far as roster moves are concerned. I think Gill and Newbury should be sent down. With Rosehill remaining as the 13th forward.
- MJL

I agree on Vinny, i think Chief is trying to kick start Giroux.

Getting ready to head to my flight to Key West!

I'll check in during or after the Ranger game, have a good day all!!
- BiggE

Next time fly to Miami and then rent a car & drive to Key West. It's a beautiful ride.

Next time fly to Miami and then rent a car & drive to Key West. It's a beautiful ride.
- flyguy12

I've done this same thing, but from Ft. Lauderdale.

Agree, it's a tremendous ride.

Say hello to the cats at Hemingway's house.
- 77rams

Say hello to Happy Hour at Irish Kevin's.

With this team's lack of speed, I would rather have Rinaldo. Couturier has shown to be a much better face-off man this year. That makes Hall a little more expendable. Although, moving Vinny to wing takes away his value on faceoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

If you do sit Hall and have a key defensive face-off with your 4th line out (assuming it's not off an icing), you could always take Rinaldo out of the equation at the face-off and have Vinny/G take it and the change as soon as the puck's out of the zone.

If you do sit Hall and have a key defensive face-off with your 4th line out (assuming it's not off an icing), you could always take Rinaldo out of the equation at the face-off and have Vinny/G take it and the change as soon as the puck's out of the zone.
- jmatchett383

Talbot has been better on draws than Hall so far this season anyway.

Vinny and BSchenn have both struggled at under 40%.

good lord, do we need a game.

Talbot has been better on draws than Hall so far this season anyway.

Vinny and BSchenn have both struggled at under 40%.
- Feanor

Well he's only taken 16 (by the same token, Hall's only taken 32), and I don't think he's ever been over 50% when playing as a full-time center. Hall's usually in the mid-to-upper 50% region most years.

good lord, do we need a game.
- hammarby31

Correction: we need a win.

Correction: we need a win.
- BulliesPhan87

do we? do we REALLY?

do we? do we REALLY?
- hammarby31

Just a little bit. I mean, they've got a wide margin for error with the record they've earned.

Talbot has been better on draws than Hall so far this season anyway.

Vinny and BSchenn have both struggled at under 40%.
- Feanor

Chalk it up to extremely small sample size... Hall's % will go up and Talbot's will drop like a rock with more exposure. I think Talbot only ever takes draws when somebody's kicked out of the circle, so he could have an advantage over somebody's who's been stooped over for 10-15 seconds longer.

Nice to see Couturier doing well so far at the dot.

Longtime Flyers defenseman Brad Marsh's first blog for HB is now up top center on the site. He talked about playing his first NHL game (Bobby Orr was on the other side) and his first NHL fight, which happened to come against the Flyers' Mel Bridgman -- the guy for whom he was eventually traded to Philly.

Good stuff.

The new line combos are fine.

I don't think it will have a huge effect long term.

The big problem is still unchanged (the D mix), but I like most would be encouraged to see more skill on the team with Raffl and McGinn staying and Newberry back down with Rosehilll as #13.

Will they have an opportunity to pick up a defender with puck skills this season, or wait things out with the players they already have is the big question.

I'm intrigued hearing Kulikov's name thrown into trade rumors.
I sure hope if true Homer makes a strong inquiry there.

They're obvious upgrades over guys like Newbury and Rosehill and belong in the NHL. Whereas, the latter two do not.
- bradleyc4

Absolutely.

Is it just me or does Hartnell look like he has become more of a perimeter guy since playing with Jagr and G a few years ago. I know he has a lot of success setting up high slot on those one timers but I want the guy playing more like McGinn.

The only problem I have with keeping McGinn up is that he'll probably play on the 4th line. He's much more effective when he's playing with skilled players who get the puck to the net. I almost feel like he's being wasted on the 4th line and might as well get top line minutes in the AHL.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd sooner have McGinn on the 4th line than Rosehill or Newberry

Absolutely.

Is it just me or does Hartnell look like he has become more of a perimeter guy since playing with Jagr and G a few years ago. I know he has a lot of success setting up high slot on those one timers but I want the guy playing more like McGinn.
- nastyflyergirl

they all look like perimeter guys right now. except mcginn maybe.

Absolutely.

Is it just me or does Hartnell look like he has become more of a perimeter guy since playing with Jagr and G a few years ago. I know he has a lot of success setting up high slot on those one timers but I want the guy playing more like McGinn.
- nastyflyergirl

It's hard to say. He's barely played this season. I know he needs to get more involved than he was in the games he's played. He's the kind of player that excels when he's emotionally connected to the game and he can drag the whole team along with him. I didn't see a lot of that last year or in the small sample size this year.

they all look like perimeter guys right now. except mcginn maybe.
- hammarby31

good point. but that said, Hartnell has to crash the net and be a pain in the ass in front of the net.

It's hard to say. He's barely played this season. I know he needs to get more involved than he was in the games he's played. He's the kind of player that excels when he's emotionally connected to the game and he can drag the whole team along with him. I didn't see a lot of that last year or in the small sample size this year.
- mayorofangrytown

I thought he was getting away from that game last year too.

I'd sooner have McGinn on the 4th line than Rosehill or Newberry
- nastyflyergirl

I agree but is that what's best for the player? Getting 10 mpg with unskilled players who are simply looking to energize the team and not allow a goal. Maybe a little 2nd unit PP time mixed in.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I wish the Flyers would have just waited a year to give Hartnell an extension. They would have then gotten a discount or could have gone with McGinn and saved money.