Tim Panaccio: Which Defensemen Gets Benched?

Would it really matter who gets benched? Most of this team needs to be sat down.

Tim Panaccio: Which Defensemen Gets Benched?
- tpanaccio

Grossmann would be my choice.

Schenn has had some rough moments, but he's been a victim of circumstance on the most egregious moments. Grossmann has been flat out awful, and is far more limited than Schenn

Grossmann would be my choice.

Schenn has had some rough moments, but he's been a victim of circumstance on the most egregious moments. Grossmann has been flat out awful, and is far more limited than Schenn
- Jsaquella

I'd have sat Grossmann two weeks ago, but maybe that's just me and how I roll

Not skate a fourth line? Yeah, that makes sense. While the other teams roll four lines, your guys are gassed. That makes as much sense as signing Lecavalier who's a center and placing him on wing, trading Talbot for Downie who decides when he feels like playing, or signing Streit to a long term contract! Maybe you should be GM!

I'd have sat Grossmann two weeks ago, but maybe that's just me and how I roll
- AllInForFlyers

And considering that Grossmann has played fine the last two games, that would have been the wrong move. He did have a horrid stretch before that.

I would sit Grossmann for the main reason you have more tied up in Schenn. He has to play. He hasn't been great by any means but why not pair him back with Kimmo and try Coburn and Gus together. Things need a shaking up.

And considering that Grossmann has played fine the last two games, that would have been the wrong move. He did have a horrid stretch before that.
- bmeltzer

At some point, though, the Flyers can't keep playing the same guys and expect a different result, right? I don't mind Grossmann, as a player, but you said this morning that the Flyers have too many of the same types of players in the lineup -- which is true.

Could Luke Schenn sit? Sure. Really, any of them could.

But if there is a choice to be made, then I'd select Grossmann, because at least Luke Schenn's a right-hander -- somehow, some way, you have to do,something to get someone like Gus into the lineup and get someone like Grossmann/Schenn out, right?

At some point, though, the Flyers can't keep playing the same guys and expect a different result, right? I don't mind Grossmann, as a player, but you said this morning that the Flyers have too many of the same types of players in the lineup -- which is true.

Could Luke Schenn sit? Sure. Really, any of them could.

But if there is a choice to be made, then I'd select Grossmann, because at least Luke Schenn's a right-hander -- somehow, some way, you have to do,something to get someone like Gus into the lineup and get someone like Grossmann/Schenn out, right?
- AllInForFlyers

trade will remove a cancer from the lineup

Is this English?

Schenn is as slow as they come and do that with the puck still loose was crazy because by the time the Flyers defenseman got back to the crease,

I would sit Schenn. Grossmann had a few bad games, but he still blocks a LOT of shots and clears the front porch. Even when Grossmann is not having a great game, you still hear his name being called by the announcers for blocking shots and being involved in the play. Schenn gets out of position all the time and he panics with the puck with minimum pressure. I think the forwards need to help the defense get the puck out of our zone. Short, quick passes are better than long "hope" passes or having our slow footed defense trying to skate the puck out by themselves.

I would sit Schenn. Grossmann had a few bad games, but he still blocks a LOT of shots and clears the front porch. Even when Grossmann is not having a great game, you still hear his name being called by the announcers for blocking shots and being involved in the play. Schenn gets out of position all the time and he panics with the puck with minimum pressure. I think the forwards need to help the defense get the puck out of our zone. Short, quick passes are better than long "hope" passes or having our slow footed defense trying to skate the puck out by themselves.
- Thors-Hammer

Grossmann blocks shots and "clears the porch" because generally, when he's on the ice, the Flyers are getting outshot 2.5 to 1. That's not just over his "few bad games", it's pretty much for the season.

I say that if they're out of it by the trade deadline, then they should get whatever they can for their entire defense. I'm dead serious. Blow it up and rebuild it. Timonen and Meszaros are almost certainly gone. Coburn, Grossman and L Schenn should be moved for draft picks, or whatever they can get as well. They're all awful and not improving. They're probably not going to get rid of their entire defense, but I'd like to see as much of a reshape as possible on defense. It can't get any worse. Let Gustafsson, Manning, Bourdon and Lauridsen get a look and see which ones of them can play, if any. Then rebuild it in the offseason through free agency and the draft. Right now though, I'd say bench two defenseman, (Coburn and Grossman) to send a message. Bring up Gustafsson and one of Oliver Lauridsen/Brandon Manning. When Bourdon is healthy he might be ready to play again. The drop off isn't that significant and it's a good opportunity to see what your other options look like. It's a good idea because they can't get any worse on defense then they are now.

- feelingkettle

No offense, but this one makes a lot more sense in real-time.

Grossmann would be my choice.

Schenn has had some rough moments, but he's been a victim of circumstance on the most egregious moments. Grossmann has been flat out awful, and is far more limited than Schenn
- Jsaquella

Sitting Schenn would also leave them without a right shot on D... teams are already mercilessly attacking that side of the ice, and the lefties on their off sides have a tougher time keeping the puck in the zone on their backhand.

I'd dress 7 D and use Streit as a 4th line forward at even strength and as a Dman on the pp or late in a game when trailing.

4th line: Streit-Hall-Downie

D Pairs:
Coburn-Timonen
Gus-Schenn
Grossman-Mez
when trailing late switch in Streit for Grossmann

Sitting Schenn would also leave them without a right shot on D... teams are already mercilessly attacking that side of the ice, and the lefties on their off sides have a tougher time keeping the puck in the zone on their backhand.
- Tomahawk

Now that's something I've been saying since the Devils killed them in 2012 -- every single weakness the defense has is exacerbated by teams that forecheck with speed on that side of the ice, where the left-handers have to try to move the puck, or clear it, on their backhand.

Now that's something I've been saying since the Devils killed them in 2012 -- every single weakness the defense has is exacerbated by teams that forecheck with speed on that side of the ice, where the left-handers have to try to move the puck, or clear it, on their backhand.
- AllInForFlyers

their lack of right handed D pre-dates that series. it's been a problem for years. there was a good stretch where they didn't have a single RHD on the roster.

their lack of right handed D pre-dates that series. it's been a problem for years. there was a good stretch where they didn't have a single RHD on the roster.
- hammarby31

The problem is, when you don't have enough skill to go around, playing righty defensemen needs to be secondary.

Remember last season? Gervais was signed because he was right handed. Kurtis Foster, right handed. I just hope to all that is holy that Schenn's right handedness was a secondary consideration in making the trade.

The problem is, when you don't have enough skill to go around, playing righty defensemen needs to be secondary.

Remember last season? Gervais was signed because he was right handed. Kurtis Foster, right handed. I just hope to all that is holy that Schenn's right handedness was a secondary consideration in making the trade.
- Jsaquella

If it's between Grossmann and Schenn, and both have been shaky, handedness would win out for me. If it was between Gus and Schenn... that's a different story.

If it's between Grossmann and Schenn, and both have been shaky, handedness would win out for me. If it was between Gus and Schenn... that's a different story.
- Tomahawk

I agree, just stating that handedness should be a secondary concern. To me there's little difference overall in Schenn & Grossmann, so then handedness is a consideration.

The problem is, when you don't have enough skill to go around, playing righty defensemen needs to be secondary.

Remember last season? Gervais was signed because he was right handed. Kurtis Foster, right handed. I just hope to all that is holy that Schenn's right handedness was a secondary consideration in making the trade.
- Jsaquella

I...have a feeling that...well...let's just say that I do believe that was a factor. How much of one, I'll never know...but I do believe that it mattered.

Grossmann blocks shots and "clears the porch" because generally, when he's on the ice, the Flyers are getting outshot 2.5 to 1. That's not just over his "few bad games", it's pretty much for the season.
- Jsaquella

I saw that; Travis Yost posted the other night that Grossmann was on-ice for 32!!!!!! even-strength shots against.

It's not as simple as blaming one guy -- especially since I don't have a feel for how many other guys were on for.

But that is a staggering number, in and of itself.

I saw that; Travis Yost posted the other night that Grossmann was on-ice for 32!!!!!! even-strength shots against.

It's not as simple as blaming one guy -- especially since I don't have a feel for how many other guys were on for.

But that is a staggering number, in and of itself.
- AllInForFlyers

He was a -27 or something in Corsi. Now I know people don;t like advanced stats, but all Corsi does is measure shots for and against while a player is on the ice. Grossmann on the season is basically out for 2.5 shots against 1 for.

Most defensive defensemen have negative Corsi's, but Grossmann's is glaring. It's more worrisome to me when you consider that Coburn and Timonen face tougher competition than Grossamnn does and have better numbers, in terms of possession(shots)