It's cool to watch our top prospects develop into a trade package for big buff
- Just5

I think the focus needs to shift back to high scoring forwards. We have Morin, Haag, Laurdsen, Alt, Konan, and Gostisbere in the system. Not to mention Gus and Schenn with the team. If 3 of those guy can make the team and 1 of them become a high impact player, then that would be 5 homegrown defenseman in 4-5 years.

And with Schenn, Coutuirer, and Laughton, they need to move away from "Mike Richards" forwards mold and start to go after pure goal scorers in the draft.
- youarewrong

I still think they should stock some more D, as they'll have a better shot of landing that big #1 elite defender that everyone covets. But I can definitely get on board with the second part of this; however. they need to make sure they're getting a Ryan-esque goal scorer and not another Zherdev-esque one.

I think the focus needs to shift back to high scoring forwards. We have Morin, Haag, Laurdsen, Alt, Konan, and Gostisbere in the system. Not to mention Gus and Schenn with the team. If 3 of those guy can make the team and 1 of them become a high impact player, then that would be 5 homegrown defenseman in 4-5 years.

And with Schenn, Coutuirer, and Laughton, they need to move away from "Mike Richards" forwards mold and start to go after pure goal scorers in the draft.
- youarewrong

I don't think you can have enough defensive prospects. You never know how they will pan out and are highly sought after so if you end up with too many, you can trade them for your forwards later. I'd like to see them still take a good amount of defensemen again. Though it all comes down to value at where your picking to me.

Hayden Fleury is my pick. Just love big WHL defensemen.
- jmatchett383

Seems attainable if he doesnt shoot up the rankings.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Practice Updates, Morin, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Bill, Valeri Vasiliev quietly seems like a nice prospect for the Flyers (I say quietly because most of the talk is Haag, Morin and Ghost). What are your thoughts on him? Be interested in seeing how you rank the Flyers top 10 defensive prospects

I am really encouraged by what I see in couturier this year and the chiefs use of him. I think this is the beginning of coutts making his mark on the NHL. His rookie year was not a flash in the pan, rather a glimpse of the future.
- funmaster18

3-4 months ago I would have said that I think Couturier should be part of a deal to land either a top scorer or top defenseman. At this point I think I would rather it be Simmonds and Laughton. I'm not expecting much out of Couts offensively, but I am hoping he can develop into the best defensive forward in the league, and with a few extra pieces we could have the best shutdown line.

Seems attainable if he doesnt shoot up the rankings.
- PhillaBully

I'm just a fan. You look at most of the "elite" NA defenders and most (at least my favorites) seem to come out of the WHL. Weber, Pietrangelo, Keith, (in the past) Pronger, Niedermayer. They guys who I'd call steady elite guys, as opposed to the "sleeker" guys like Letang and Subban.

3-4 months ago I would have said that I think Couturier should be part of a deal to land either a top scorer or top defenseman. At this point I think I would rather it be Simmonds and Laughton. I'm not expecting much out of Couts offensively, but I am hoping he can develop into the best defensive forward in the league, and with a few extra pieces we could have the best shutdown line.
- youarewrong

I've really soured on Simmonds. I don't know what it is, but whatever he had over the past 2 years is gone. He looks like Jody Shelley with the puck. He hasn't won a board battle since I last had sex. He skates like Jay Rosehill. I don't question his heart or work ethic, but something(s) is missing.

3-4 months ago I would have said that I think Couturier should be part of a deal to land either a top scorer or top defenseman. At this point I think I would rather it be Simmonds and Laughton. I'm not expecting much out of Couts offensively, but I am hoping he can develop into the best defensive forward in the league, and with a few extra pieces we could have the best shutdown line.
- youarewrong

I think his offense will come. I don't think he will be scoring 30 goals a year, but I think he's going to have more offensive ability than people think. He dominate juniors from what I remember and I think he's dealing with a learning curve as well as getting his body where it needs to be in this league. He ha soon many skills with the puck to not pot some goals and rack up assists, IMO. I do agree that they are looking for him to be more of a shut down guy though.

I've really soured on Simmonds. I don't know what it is, but whatever he had over the past 2 years is gone. He looks like Jody Shelley with the puck. He hasn't won a board battle since I last had sex. He skates like Jay Rosehill. I don't question his heart or work ethic, but something(s) is missing.
- jmatchett383

I think Simmonds is going to be a guy that is up an down. I hope I'm wrong but he really needs to stop playing with such reckless abandon. Always taking himself out of the play. He's one of the guys that need simplify.

Hayden Fleury is my pick. Just love big WHL defensemen.
- jmatchett383

Fan of Roland McKeown

You can see the offensive potential starting to bubble up slowly as well.

A truly special player who should not be traded.
- bradleyc4

Amen. Tired of some fans wanting a young guy traded only to hear fans (same or otherwise) complain about their success elsewhere.

Couturier seems on the cusp of a breakout offensive game.

Bill, Valeri Vasiliev quietly seems like a nice prospect for the Flyers (I say quietly because most of the talk is Haag, Morin and Ghost). What are your thoughts on him? Be interested in seeing how you rank the Flyers top 10 defensive prospects
- nastyflyergirl

I would sandwich Vasiliev between Alt, and L. Schenn.

I would sandwich Vasiliev between Alt, and L. Schenn.
- PLindbergh31

Sounds pretty hot to me.

BTW, Happy Halloween, Bill & all you hooligans! Who's dressed up as Bob "The Count" Dailey this year? MOAT??

6 Kaspari Kapanen RW 7/23/96 R 5.11 172 Kuopio FinE 9

a Kapanen

[quote=nastyflyergirl]

6 Kaspari Kapanen RW 7/23/96 R 5.11 172 Kuopio FinE 9

a Kapanen
- nastyflyergirl[]

Kaspar the not-so-friendly Kapanen

I think Simmonds is going to be a guy that is up an down. I hope I'm wrong but he really needs to stop playing with such reckless abandon. Always taking himself out of the play. He's one of the guys that need simplify.
- funmaster18

I agree with the up and down comment. Since he has been here I seem to have times when I love him and times when I am annoyed. Kinda like Hartnell

Sounds pretty hot to me.
- jmatchett383

Sounded more like a cold cut sandwich than a crock pot made one, to me.

I agree with the up and down comment. Since he has been here I seem to have times when I love him and times when I am annoyed. Kinda like Hartnell
- nastyflyergirl

Yup. Makes me wonder if you need both guys. I wouldn't be opposed to losing one or the other depending on the return. I don't want to trade them just to get rid of them. I don't dislike either player, just wish they had more consistency.

3-4 months ago I would have said that I think Couturier should be part of a deal to land either a top scorer or top defenseman. At this point I think I would rather it be Simmonds and Laughton. I'm not expecting much out of Couts offensively, but I am hoping he can develop into the best defensive forward in the league, and with a few extra pieces we could have the best shutdown line.
- youarewrong

I'd hate to trade Laughton before we brought him up and see what he can do in the bigs. Simmonds or Hartnell, however, I'd trade right now if we could get a good return.

I will give credit where it's due though and admit Read's goal the other night was all Simmonds, in fact Read almost f'd it up by shooting it right into Hiller, but luckily neither Hiller nor a defenseman recovered quick enough to prevent a follow-up shot. After that, Simmonds, like most of the rest of the team, disappeared.

[quote=nastyflyergirl]

Recently had a knee injury, was said to be out a few weeks. Not sure if he's returned.

Ovie out tomorrow night.

I'd hate to trade Laughton before we brought him up and see what he can do in the bigs. Simmonds or Hartnell, however, I'd trade right now if we could get a good return.

I will give credit where it's due though and admit Read's goal the other night was all Simmonds, in fact Read almost f'd it up by shooting it right into Hiller, but luckily neither Hiller nor a defenseman recovered quick enough to prevent a follow-up shot. After that, Simmonds, like most of the rest of the team, disappeared.
- wolfhounds

Laughton is killing it. I don't want him moved unless it's for a guarantee top flight defenseman. I don't want him moved for a band aid or another forward.