Lotta straw man up in here.

I think it's reasonable for a guy getting Top 6 minutes chip in with a goal more than once every 12 games or so.
- johndewar

Schenn and Couturier's total ice-time per game has been equal since they've come into the league... any difference in linemates and special teams roles are accounted for in Schenn's superior (and might I note, steady) .5 points/game average.

Before they broke out, Richie and Carts were getting a lot more minutes than Coots/Schenn, and neither of them were as productive as Schenn despite more favorable situations.

Let's not start a holy war here
- PhillySportsGuy

I liked the way your had originally much better.

Essentially, yes. However, I expected Schenn to be an adequate defender. I understand he's young, but he hasn't really gotten much better in that department yet.
- PhillySportsGuy

And it's not like I want to trade the guy, either.

I want him to justify his position in the lineup. That's all.

#2 center. 25-35 goals. 60-70 points.

Edit: this is what I was hoping he would BECOME. Not what I think he should be now.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's on pace for 40-50 points for a 22-year-old... is he that far off?

I view core pieces as guys I think can be the best players on a Stanley Cup caliber team. I don't see Schenn being one of those guys. I see Couturier, Giroux and Voracek being those guys.

The answer to your first question is yes, I see them as having 3 'core' pieces. It's all a matter of opinion of the player and of the word 'core'.
- PhillySportsGuy

Im not sold on Voracek yet. I have questions about his work ethic (he disappears for long stretches of games way too often) and his decision making with the puck.

And it's not like I want to trade the guy, either.

I want him to justify his position in the lineup. That's all.
- johndewar

So, if/when Schenn plays better and the first line has a nice game, who's the next forward who gets it?

I liked the way your had originally much better.
- jmatchett383

Lotta straw man up in here.

I think it's reasonable for a guy getting Top 6 minutes chip in with a goal more than once every 12 games or so.
- johndewar

That's the whole damn team. And when BSchenn was playing with Vinny, he was putting up points.

Do you remember Baby Schenn in the PO's against the Pens? Scoring, hitting, agitating? Young players are only going to show it in flashes... until it all comes together and you wonder why you ever doubted them.
- Tomahawk

I don't know what BSchenn will be five years from now. I do know he has scored at a faster pace than either of the Sedins did at the start of their careers.

So I'm not totally opposed to trading him, but it would have to be for a return big enough to be worth it if he does end up being a 60 point forward who also hits and stirs the pot.

So, if/when Schenn plays better and the first line has a nice game, who's the next forward who gets it?
- jmatchett383

Voracek.

Voracek.
- johndewar

He's part of the first line

That's the whole damn team. And when BSchenn was playing with Vinny, he was putting up points.
- wolfhounds

That's kind of the point I'm making.

For all the hand wringing we see with guys like Streit, Rinaldo, Rosehill, whoever, is it asking too much for your top 6 forwards to be more consistent? Or marginally productive on a game in game out basis?

I am still waiting on a trade of Rosehill for a Chocolate Chip cookie. However, no takers. Am I am going to have to throw in Streit as well?

B Schenn didn't look good at all last night either. Turnovers, bad positioning, chasing the play. Couts looked miles ahead of him last night.

My penciled in core of this team would be Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, Read, and Mason. I would like to see Laughton and Morin join this list, but they have to earn their stripes with the big club first.

Everyone else is available for the right price. Same goes for re-signing them. If they want too much, let them walk. Vets like Vinny and Hartnell are a necessity, we can't have all young players on our team.

What I noticed when I typed out my team core was the lack of a defenceman on that list. If it costs us the Schenns, Simmonds, Laughton, or anyone else to grab a decent #1 defenceman, then so be it.
- Rocktane

Coburn?

His importance to this team, cap hit, age and performance, should not be under-stated.

He's part of the first line
- jmatchett383

I forget sometimes.

I am still waiting on a trade of Rosehill for a Chocolate Chip cookie. However, no takers. Am I am going to have to throw in Streit as well?


- OrangeAndBlack1

What kind of chocolate chip cookie?

He's on pace for 40-50 points for a 22-year-old... is he that far off?
- Tomahawk

That's not bad. Maybe his recent play has dissuaded me. I think what bothers me is his lack of identity as a player.

Coburn?

His importance to this team, cap hit, age and performance, should not be under-stated.
- wolfhounds

I agree. Far and away our best defenseman right now. That said, if he was part of a trade for a TRUE #1 defenseman (Pronger-esque), I'd do it.

That's kind of the point I'm making.

For all the hand wringing we see with guys like Streit, Rinaldo, Rosehill, whoever, is it asking too much for your top 6 forwards to be more consistent? Or marginally productive on a game in game out basis?
- johndewar

I agree, I don't stress much about the 3 R's - Rosehill, Rinaldo, Raffl - and definitely think we should expect a lot more from our top players, starting with the 1st line.

I wouldn't include Streit with the 3 R's, Hall, etc. A lot more is and should be expected of him as well.

That's not bad. Maybe his recent play has dissuaded me. I think what bothers me is his lack of identity as a player.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's hotter and colder than an insert witty reference here.

That's kind of the point I'm making.

For all the hand wringing we see with guys like Streit, Rinaldo, Rosehill, whoever, is it asking too much for your top 6 forwards to be more consistent? Or marginally productive on a game in game out basis?
- johndewar

It is when a majority of your top forwards are 25 and under.

One for each of you.


- Scoob

Damn I've been singing Coots praises here for 2 years and I get nothing!

On the positive side, I'm very happy Cleary didn't sign here.

Will McGinn play against Chicago with Raffl going back to play with Hall, or will the league's dumbest 4th line be rolled out to get embarrassed?

Coburn?

His importance to this team, cap hit, age and performance, should not be under-stated.
- wolfhounds

Agreed!