lots about Couts...

That's a kid I want to keep on my team.
- Giroux_Is_God

All the GMs recognize his talent.

Nearly every single trade proposal you read about the Flyers, the other team asks for Couts.

He stopped Okposo in his tracks last night, and Okposo is a load.

L Schenn and Gusty look like a pair of, well...
young defenseman, out there.

They are going to make plenty of mistakes.

Berube could go with Hal Gill and Mezzy.
But nearly everyone on here was critical of that, and most reasonable posters seem willing to let Gusty and Schenn go through their growing pains.

And despite his years in the league, L Schenn is still a young defenseman.

Jsaq this is not directed at you, you are one of the most reasonable and enjoyable to read posters in here, I'm just continuing the discussion.
- Marc D

Yeah, I was more commenting on the "sins" of Gus on the Boulton goal, rather than ripping them as a pair. They have had some issues, but the bottom line is that they have gotten it done as a pair.

All the GMs recognize his talent.

Nearly every single trade proposal you read about the Flyers, the other team asks for Couts.

He stopped Okposo in his tracks last night, and Okposo is a load.
- Marc D

That was a sweet hit

Love that last part

On Couturier, I've stood by the guy harder than I stood by Bryz. I've been beating the #14 drum since the January before they drafted him. I was home one day with my buddy looking at Junior scoring leaders, etc, and Coots put up like 90 pts in his last 2 seasons in Juniors. I looked at my friend and we were both like....damn....I wish the Flyers could draft someone like that. And it came true after that Carter steal!!

Anyway, my point is he's got hands. He does. He didn't put up 90 points for nothing. And before people say BUT LAPPY JSKLD;AJVDLS; I'll say that I think Couturier's immediate jump to the NHL proves he's not a "fizzle out" player that is a fringe NHLer even though he's scored prolifically as a kid in Juniors.

Moreover, he's definitely shown flashes of brilliance. If he reaches his offensive potential (which I believe he will), I think he'll play the game VERY similar to the way JVR does. Look at what Coots has done lately- he just bullrushes the puck into the offensive zone, gets it deep, and if he corrals the puck behind the net....it's a thing of beauty. He just wills the puck to the slot or on net any way he can. He shrugs off the D, he protects the puck, he'll lean into guys....any way he can he gets the disc to a scoring position or on net or back to the point, even. The kid has serious strength, and he's not even filled out yet. We're seeing this much more often this year, and especially just in this past week. We've seen the flashes of it in years past- that OT period last year comes to mind.

If he keeps his play on this line up, in a few years we're gonna see a special player. We're gonna see a 6'3 210-215 lbs player as defensively sound as Datsyuk, with the overall "any way ya can" mentality of Forsberg (without the hitting or offensive output obviously), and a power forward streak like JVR showed in the Bruins series.

That's a kid I want to keep on my team.
- Giroux_Is_God

Couturier has been a DOMINANT player since he was paired with Downie & Read. Using the advanced numbers I just mentioned, it's staggering how good he's been.

He's started 70% of his shifts in the defensive zone, and he's endin 65% of them in the offensive end-while generally being up against the opposing team's top line. That's absolutely staggering in terms of controlling the play and getting it done against high level competition.

Yeah, I was more commenting on the "sins" of Gus on the Boulton goal, rather than ripping them as a pair. They have had some issues, but the bottom line is that they have gotten it done as a pair.
- Jsaquella

I haven't been losing sleep at night, but never the less I've been thinking of what a Gil/Gus pair would bring us. Gil was, frankly, surprisingly effective in those 2 or 3 games he dressed for. I really like his demeanor and what he brings. I was meh about the signing but honestly I'm eating some crow.

That being said, that means we sit Schenn. Which isn't good. Kind of sucks because I really want to see a Gil/Gus but in my opinion, Schenn NEEDS to play.

I haven't been losing sleep at night, but never the less I've been thinking of what a Gil/Gus pair would bring us. Gil was, frankly, surprisingly effective in those 2 or 3 games he dressed for. I really like his demeanor and what he brings. I was meh about the signing but honestly I'm eating some crow.

That being said, that means we sit Schenn. Which isn't good. Kind of sucks because I really want to see a Gil/Gus but in my opinion, Schenn NEEDS to play.
- Giroux_Is_God

They have been suprisingly lucky in terms of injuries so far this year.

You may get your wish sooner than later.

I haven't been losing sleep at night, but never the less I've been thinking of what a Gil/Gus pair would bring us. Gil was, frankly, surprisingly effective in those 2 or 3 games he dressed for. I really like his demeanor and what he brings. I was meh about the signing but honestly I'm eating some crow.

That being said, that means we sit Schenn. Which isn't good. Kind of sucks because I really want to see a Gil/Gus but in my opinion, Schenn NEEDS to play.
- Giroux_Is_God

Ol Hal did play solidly for the Flyers in limited action but I agree they need to let Schenn play.

I still think that signing Gill was more in expectation of finding a taker for Meszaros than a need for Gill

I haven't been losing sleep at night, but never the less I've been thinking of what a Gil/Gus pair would bring us. Gil was, frankly, surprisingly effective in those 2 or 3 games he dressed for. I really like his demeanor and what he brings. I was meh about the signing but honestly I'm eating some crow.

That being said, that means we sit Schenn. Which isn't good. Kind of sucks because I really want to see a Gil/Gus but in my opinion, Schenn NEEDS to play.
- Giroux_Is_God

Hal Gill is pretty solid.
Exceptionally slow, but he usually finds a way to get it done.

I agree with your conclusion though, L Schenn has to play through whatever he is going through. He seems to do better playing more minutes, but his game last year was better then what he has shown this year. Maybe he did well because he was playing with Tim-o-nin. (That Isles announcer pronouncing his name TIM- o -nin ) drove me crazy last night.

Couturier has been a DOMINANT player since he was paired with Downie & Read. Using the advanced numbers I just mentioned, it's staggering how good he's been.

He's started 70% of his shifts in the defensive zone, and he's endin 65% of them in the offensive end-while generally being up against the opposing team's top line. That's absolutely staggering in terms of controlling the play and getting it done against high level competition.
- Jsaquella

I said this last night- I don't know if you saw it, so stop me if you've heard this before....

The work that the Dr. C line puts in EVERY SINGLE SHIFT is stunning. I've never watched a team with a line like this. I'll sit in front of my TV and I'll say to myself, "get the 3rd unit out there so we can get some momentum back".

Why is that special?

Because it happens every damn time and that's not even a joke.

They forecheck, support each other, control the puck, get opportunities, cycle, and establish offensive mojo for a sequence. Then THEY (frank) UP THE OTHER TEAM'S BREAKOUT AND DO IT ALL AGAIN ON THE SAME SHIFT. It's unbelievable. And like you said- all against the oppositions' #1s! They did it against Crosby, they did it against Tavares, they did it against the Turris line. They did it against RNH and company, and they did it against a Jets team who is one of the fastest in the league.

I've never seen a unit that was such a gimme, such a "set it and forget" thing.

All I gotta say is that I'm happy that this line is something we don't have to play against

Couturier has been a DOMINANT player since he was paired with Downie & Read. Using the advanced numbers I just mentioned, it's staggering how good he's been.

He's started 70% of his shifts in the defensive zone, and he's endin 65% of them in the offensive end-while generally being up against the opposing team's top line. That's absolutely staggering in terms of controlling the play and getting it done against high level competition.
- Jsaquella

I got so excited I had to post it twice....

Hal Gill is pretty solid.
Exceptionally slow, but he usually finds a way to get it done.

I agree with your conclusion though, L Schenn has to play through whatever he is going through. He seems to do better playing more minutes, but his game last year was better then what he has shown this year. Maybe he did well because he was playing with Tim-o-nin. (That Isles announcer pronouncing his name TIM- o -nin ) drove me crazy last night.
- Marc D

He absolutely does play better with more minutes. Looking at that I think that's a matter of him still being young and- in a way- still getting comfortable out there.

It's a funny thing to say because people will just scream and yell WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HE'S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE FOR LIKE 6 YEARS HOW IS HE NOT COMFORTABLE?! but he's still developing. He still needs to get comfortable not just in the NHL per se, but with realizing what he needs to bring to be effective- to play like he did last year for the most part- and execute that.

Sidenote: Downie should keep his stache

Sidenote: Downie should keep his stache
- Giroux_Is_God

- moylander

He looks like something straight out of like a hollywood Western or something it is SO GOOD

Doesnt Coots remind us a little of Primeau in his hot stretches?

a message from the ether, regarding the Isles second goal last night, from Micheal J Leighton:

"So far everyone has been blamed on the Boulton goal except for the player who deserves the biggest blame. Gustafsson didn't blow the coverage, and neither did Rosehill. Adam Hall did. He lost the faceoff and lost his check. The Isles centerman got buy him, creating a mini two on one down low. Gustafsson was caught having to play 2 guys and tried to prevent the pass. Boulton is Gustafsson's check on the play, but he had to do what he did because Hall lost his check. Rosehill's job is to cover the point, or get to the wall if the Flyers win the faceoff for a potential rim play. Hall is the culprit on the play."

After looking at the replay, I have to agree with this. Hall loses Cizikas off the draw, and Gus moves off Bolton towards Cizikas, and it's a 2 on 1 down low. Puck gets by Gus and Bolton is wide open down low. Hall has to tie up Cizikas there, even if he loses the draw.

He absolutely does play better with more minutes. Looking at that I think that's a matter of him still being young and- in a way- still getting comfortable out there.

It's a funny thing to say because people will just scream and yell WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HE'S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE FOR LIKE 6 YEARS HOW IS HE NOT COMFORTABLE?! but he's still developing. He still needs to get comfortable not just in the NHL per se, but with realizing what he needs to bring to be effective- to play like he did last year for the most part- and execute that.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yup.
Just because Toronto rushed him in there early, doesn't mean he is still young and developing. He skill set may not got a lot better but I expect the mistakes to go down and for him to be a more effective player as he gets more experience.

The other thing, every time I read about trading Coburn or Grossmann I just cringe.
These guys have been work horses for them, and largely very effective this year

I get it that they are not #1 and #2 type defenseman,
but they play big minutes and are good at what they do.

If you trade them it better be for another defenseman who can replace what they bring
To trade them for a pick or another scoring winger is just crazy to me.

As bad as Rosebud looked on the Boulton goal, Erik Gustafsson totally blew his assignment, as well. He froze like a deer on a highway and ended up making a half-assed attempt to block the pass to Boulton.
- Jsaquella

thank you. i thought he had a doodoo game.

L Schenn and Gusty look like a pair of, well...
young defenseman, out there.

They are going to make plenty of mistakes.

Berube could go with Hal Gill and Mezzy.
But nearly everyone on here was critical of that, and most reasonable posters seem willing to let Gusty and Schenn go through their growing pains.

And despite his years in the league, L Schenn is still a young defenseman.

Jsaq this is not directed at you, you are one of the most reasonable and enjoyable to read posters in here, I'm just continuing the discussion.
- Marc D

i would go with mesz/schenn but then i don't really want gus rotting in the pressbox either...

Couturier has been a DOMINANT player since he was paired with Downie & Read. Using the advanced numbers I just mentioned, it's staggering how good he's been.

He's started 70% of his shifts in the defensive zone, and he's endin 65% of them in the offensive end-while generally being up against the opposing team's top line. That's absolutely staggering in terms of controlling the play and getting it done against high level competition.
- Jsaquella

loved watching him go behind the net with tavares and come out with the puck

I haven't been losing sleep at night, but never the less I've been thinking of what a Gil/Gus pair would bring us. Gil was, frankly, surprisingly effective in those 2 or 3 games he dressed for. I really like his demeanor and what he brings. I was meh about the signing but honestly I'm eating some crow.

That being said, that means we sit Schenn. Which isn't good. Kind of sucks because I really want to see a Gil/Gus but in my opinion, Schenn NEEDS to play.
- Giroux_Is_God

haha those are the two i'd sit

Hal Gill is pretty solid.
Exceptionally slow, but he usually finds a way to get it done.

I agree with your conclusion though, L Schenn has to play through whatever he is going through. He seems to do better playing more minutes, but his game last year was better then what he has shown this year. Maybe he did well because he was playing with Tim-o-nin. (That Isles announcer pronouncing his name TIM- o -nin ) drove me crazy last night.
- Marc D

the guy has only been playing in the same division for six years now, why bother learning how to say his name

it makes me CRINGE

a message from the ether, regarding the Isles second goal last night, from Micheal J Leighton:

"So far everyone has been blamed on the Boulton goal except for the player who deserves the biggest blame. Gustafsson didn't blow the coverage, and neither did Rosehill. Adam Hall did. He lost the faceoff and lost his check. The Isles centerman got buy him, creating a mini two on one down low. Gustafsson was caught having to play 2 guys and tried to prevent the pass. Boulton is Gustafsson's check on the play, but he had to do what he did because Hall lost his check. Rosehill's job is to cover the point, or get to the wall if the Flyers win the faceoff for a potential rim play. Hall is the culprit on the play."

After looking at the replay, I have to agree with this. Hall loses Cizikas off the draw, and Gus moves off Bolton towards Cizikas, and it's a 2 on 1 down low. Puck gets by Gus and Bolton is wide open down low. Hall has to tie up Cizikas there, even if he loses the draw.
- Marc D

hmm i will try to forgive gus i guess

After 1

Barrie - 0
Oshawa - 0

i would go with mesz/schenn but then i don't really want gus rotting in the pressbox either...
- -davies-

Ha, I was just thinking Gus and Gill would be a decent third pair, but I don't want Luke sitting.

I wish Mez had stepped up in the few games he had, but he was a shell of his former self. Soon as he is traded he will likely bounce back into form.

Ek's recent blog says Mez will be gone by December, and would have already been traded if the Flyers would retain part of his salary in the deal. The hold up is the Flyers have been unwilling to retain any salary.